Common Ground

I think it's safe to say I've discovered the one thing than I'm quite certain all parents have in common.  It's easily seen in schools, on Saturday morning Soccer fields, and even moments where you witness a simple act of good manners.  It's a little thing called pride.  

It's as if the minute you welcome a new baby into your family you also accept the fact that you will become their biggest fan.  

Through the years that may look a little different.  It begins with things like the first time you get to brag about your newborn sleeping through the night and progresses quickly to things like first steps and first words.  

Let's be fair these may seem like minor accomplishments and not necessarily something that perfect strangers or even friends for that matter can muster up a pat on the back for.  But that's the amazing thing about parenthood, there's nothing quite like that feeling you get when you witness your child succeeding.  

Lately we've had plenty of reasons to cheer and make a big deal out of things that other people could probably care less about (let's face it that also comes with the parental territory).  Take for instance Carter's recent accomplishment of learning to ride a bike.  She was motivated by the upcoming bike rodeo at school and with only a week to master two wheels there were moments when Nate and I exchanged knowing glances.  You know the one that says, "I'm pretty sure there's no way this is going to happen."  There was a lot of driveway practice going on...

And let's face it there were also quite a few tears.  She's determined and hard on herself and sometimes that can be a tough combination.  But as we did a trial run on the course the night before I couldn't have been prouder of how far she had come...

I knew there might be a few rough moments i.e. weaving through some bright orange cones but she had done it (she even managed to master the multi task of ringing her bell and riding at the same time :)...

The morning of the rodeo she was ready and so was her cheering squad...

It was the moment of truth and I'll admit I held my breath just a little...

Off she went and she was cool...

Calm...

And Collected...

Maybe even just a tad confident...

And yes...

She knocked over a cone (or two)...

But it was one of those moments that parents know well...a common ground we all share...I couldn't have been more proud of her...

And you know what?  I've realized something else about this whole pride thing.  There have been times where I've been overly concerned that I might come across the wrong way.  That I might cheer just a little too loudly or that I might appear just a bit too proud.  But you know what the cool part is?  If the system works the way it's supposed to every kid has their own "proud parent".  Every kid has their own biggest fan.  That realization freed me up a bit.  I now find it easier to cheer loud for a scored goal (like the other night when Carter scored not one but two against a team of boys during a scrimmage)...

I realize that proud feeling inside me that's just dying to come out is something they desperately need to see (and hear if I give it total freedom in the form of a cheer and maybe even a fist pump)...

After all I'm their mom...

If I'm not proud of them who will be...

And don't worry I'll be happy to cheer for your little person too.  Because the cool thing about pride is once you give it a little freedom there is plenty left over for everyone!