It's Hard Being a Kid

As I watch my girls grow, try new things, struggle and finally "get it" I am reminded about how hard it can be, being a kid.  I started to think about this on Saturday as I watched Evie skate around at hockey practice.  She has come so far in her skating in the past two months and it is a joy to watch her enjoying finally cruising along the ice.  She often looks to see if I'm watching her, beaming and full of pride at her accomplishment.  I'm always sure to give her a big thumbs up and a smile. 

She has worked hard for weeks trying to get the skating thing down.  Week after week she would attempt the proper technique in vain.  But she didn't give up and now she's starting to reap the rewards.  To be sure she's not Gretzky out there, not yet but she's come so far.  The funny thing is that almost as soon as she got the forward motion working properly, the coaches started teaching her backwards skating.  And she did it all with such a positive attitude and a smile.  I'm a proud papa.  Sometimes it's so hard to sit and watch your child struggle - but it's essential to remember that they're getting stronger because of the struggle.

Evie works hard at everything - piano, swimming, hockey, speech, school work - and there just doesn't seem to be any let up at this age.  Everything is so new and just when they think they've nailed something, they discover the next step.   It's no wonder that every now and then kids meltdown as if they just can't handle expelling another iota of effort.  Like on Monday when we were getting ready for school Evie freaked out because she was having trouble zipping her coat up.  Her reaction seemed somewhat disproportionate to the situation.  We as grown-ups sometimes forget just how much learning our kids are doing on a daily basis - the things we take for granted are still struggles for them.  Learning takes a lot out of you.  I'm going to try to remember that and maybe be a little more patient with the girls next time they're struggling with something.  Definitely not excusing or condoning freaking out - but maybe I can understand where she's coming from and look for a way to circumvent her "learning fatigue" and frustration before it results in a meltdown.