I wish I could just hire a trainer for Tatum to build strength and resilience inside.
You see, yes, she is getting stronger in some ways. At the gym, she’s lifting weights now with Emma, her trainer.
Go TOT!
This is great for her building her toughness and feeling confident in her own skin. It’s also good for her muscle-wise as she grows into a young woman.
BUT…what will grow her resilience of character and strength when things might get hard?
Well, one word.
FAILURE
Ok, maybe two
DISAPPOINTMENT.
EEEEEKK…as a Mom, I HATE to see this for her. I want to whisk her up and solve all of her problems, soothing the pain.
But, what will this accomplish? It will make ME feel better as if I’m “fixing” a problem, and OH, it will make her FEEL better in that moment. But, is that right?
I can soothe her with empathy and kindness as she goes through a storm. Kind of like God does for us. He gives us an UMBRELLA, but the rain still falls.
Today, she cried for hours. Why? Because ALL OF THAT HARD WORK she put in for her book that she is writing has been erased. Yep. GONE. ZIP. ZILCH. KAPUT! She didn’t save her work. Lesson learned.
I couldn’t fix it, nor should I fix it. But OH IS IT HARD!! I have been through that countless times with articles, papers, research… you name it. But, I tried to assure her:
The next time you write it out, it will be even better! I promise. It didn’t help in the short run, but I promise she’ll see it in the long run.
In the meantime, she’s on a bike ride right now brainstorming.
I love you, Tot. Don’t give up. Keep building your resilience. I’m here to cushion the landing.