The Things We Do For Our Kids...I'm So Brave Now!

Not to brag, but I killed a spider and went to a haunted hayride this week. Maybe that is not a big deal to you, but I am a self-proclaimed chicken—a real wuss. I've been known to cross the street to avoid the creepy trick-or-treat costumes. Like I said, wuss. My youngest is not. She loves all things spooky. So, off we go to the hayride of horror. Yikes! The thought of standing next to someone in full zombie makeup would have made me run for the hills, but the things we do for our kids...I'm so brave now!

Ok, maybe I am not watching horror films or going on the hayride (I said I was there but didn't say I went on it), but I'm getting much better at faking it for the sake of my kid or other kids who might be experiencing anxiety. Kids feed off our energy. If we act like it's not a big deal, it helps them cope. The key word in that sentence is act. I'm the same person. I don't suddenly love all things scary, but I am getting better at acting like it doesn't bother me. I act amused by their attempts to scare me, even though I feel that flutter in my stomach when they creep closer. The bravery that comes with parenthood continues to amaze me. We will do anything for our kids.

I'm still not killing one of those millipede bugs with a zillion legs without throwing shoes and double-stacked paper towels to pick it up, but baby steps.