Today we were playing outside in the Marsh family's yard and Ella climbed into a swing. She leaned back and forth trying to propel herself, as she often does, but wasn't generating much momentum. I watched her try for a minute or two and then call out to me for help. I yelled back. "You need to keep trying, honey. Remember, practice makes awesome!" (Kim coined the phrase that has become one of our mantras -- and my attempt at helping my daughters avoid my hopeless perfectionism.) She was frustrated by my lack of compassion, but kept at it, and before either of us knew it she was swinging. Really swinging. Legs strong, arms rigid, smile wide. And she was so proud of herself.
I made a note to help my children a little less so they can triumph a lot more.
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