Not Raising Scaredy Cats

This is a sort of reaction to a conversation I had with a friend, who was thinking twice about enrolling his son in swimming lessons, believing it's better his son is cautious with water and stay safe on dry land.

It reminded me of Kelly Clarkson's song, Because of You:

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust
Not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I don't want to raise scaredy cats. I want to raise empowered children, even if it may mean that they'd want to climb rocks and sky dive. I want them to embrace what they fear and still do something with things they can control, even if the fears stay there.

I want my son to continue trying to engage kids to play with him, even if they don't want to half the time. I want my son to learn how to ask for things he wants and needs and likes and loves, especially since I never had that wisdom. I want my son to test his limits because I believe I am providing a safe anchor for him to know that he has someone he can always turn to, somewhere he can always come home to, someone who will always know and love him.