We are Limitless

Last year, my child's teacher told her to choose downhill skiing for an activity to do rather than to learn how to snowboard.  She told my daughter that the latter would be too difficult for her to learn. 

Now this daughter of mine, who has significant learning challenges as well as imbalances in gross motor coordination, said that she wanted to learn how to snowboard.

I took a deep breath and then said, "okay, I'll go up and learn with you so I can support you in what you want to learn".

I am so glad I trusted her desires, inspite of her limitations.  She taught me that limitations are only those things we put in front of ourselves in order to surpass them.

Having said that, I was there with her every step of the way.  I was with her one on one for many, many months until she felt comfortable enough to go up the T-bar on her own and snowboard down on her own.

I trusted my own wisdom with what she needed.  And I trusted her desire.  It was win-win all around.  (And I learned how to snowboard as an added bonus!)

At present, her balance on the board is excellent and she has beautiful control doing her turns.  I am very proud of her.

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As an addendum to this story, I took my daughter up to the hill again today, and was again faced with trusting her desires.  She is a beginner snowboarder and wanted to do a black diamond run.  I took a deep breath and said, "OK, but let's take it slow".  She did wonderfully, and her confidence took another gigantic leap forward.

There is always a fine balance between trusting your child's desire and trusting your own wisdom for that which is safe for your child.  It always comes down to two things:  wanting the best for your child and following your gut intuition.

When we trust in ourselves and in others, we have a momentary glimpse into our own unlimited potential.

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As an addendum to the addendum, my daughter is now much better at snowboarding than I am.  She wanted to take me down this very, very, very steep black diamond run with moguls no less. 

"You can do it mom" she said.  I told her to give me some time.  (I had visions of lying in a hospital bed with a few casts on). 

"Next year for sure" I told her.  "Thanks for believing in me".