Confidence Problem?
November 19th, 2008Confidence is one of those attributes I think we all hope that our children have. As a child, my mother was made fun of because of her glasses, white hair and braces. She pulled through the pains of childhood and grew into a confident, successful woman. She was the first woman ever to be hired as an EMT at her place of employment. Breaking into that world of men took guts and lots of confidence.
As a child, I too was made fun of because of my pointy Spock ears, my pointy fangs and anything else those rotten kids could pick apart. I was shy and unsure of myself, but what I did have were a few powerful, successful women that served as role models for me and helped me to grow into the woman I am today – one of them, of course, being my mother. I am totally comfortable with who and what I am and where I am in my life right now.
And then there’s my daughter….
Unlike the prior two generations, Arianna’s confidence issue seems to be the complete opposite of her elders. Let me give you an example. On the first day of school, the teacher handed out a “Getting to know you” sheet. You know, they ask questions like “Do you have any brothers or sisters?” or “Do you like sports?”.
Well one of the questions was “What are you most proud of?” Her response “ME!” And no, it’s not me, her mother that she was referring to. She is most proud of herself!! Then she had to fill in “The best thing about me is ….” and her response was “ME!” No lack of confidence going on in her head. In her view everything about her is so good, she couldn’t pick just one thing.
Arianna recently started gymnastics. I was driving her and a friend home from class the other night and listened while she told her friend that she’s close to a back walker over so soon she can learn a back hand spring. Her friend said, “No fair. You’re better than me and I’ve been doing it longer.” My daughter looks at her best friend and gleefully responds, “I KNOW!!! I AM BETTER THAN YOU!”
I’ve got a problem on my hands over here and it’s most certainly not from lack of confidence! She’s a wild girl and I am very anxious to see how her life plays out.
I will be interested too………I was much like you and probably worse. I do regret being that way. At least, Arianna wont be kicking herself for not speaking up or feeling good about herself
)) That’s the one side of it……..I have no idea what the other side is like 
))))
Good luck my friend
I have no idea where she gets it from…
I may have been somewhat confident growing up, but I certainly don’t think I was THAT confident. I guess it’s what we have created.
IT’S ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aren’t you impressed that I got the photo in there and it’s the right size!? Fist the ability to do origami and now this!! Before you know it, I might actually get a sense of direction too. Scary!!
she’ll be just fine. hopefully that confident attitude will allow her to fully chase her dreams and let no one get in her way. =o)
I remember thinking pretty highly of myself.
I had friends that I knew looked prettier, were stronger, were more creative- but I was proud they were MY friends. I rolled my eyes at my teacher and cried when it seemed someone was upset with me.
(Good job with the picture)