I remember stepping on the ice for my very first figure skating lesson when I was six years old. They lined us up at the boards and had each child skate across to the other side. I knew very clearly what was going on. They wanted to watch us skate so they could “classify” us. I was terrified of failing. And thus began the long road to learning one of the greatest lessons I would not truly grasp until I hit my 40s…
As parents, it is on us to consider how the culturally perpetuated and pervasive connection between performance and worth will impact the littles we are growing up. I believe there are some key things that we can do to have our children, especially those who are not the “big achievers,” stare the world in the eye and see only their infinite value and potential.
The Fall 2019 issue of EcoParent has already hit newsstands. I am thrilled to have my article, “Let It Be: Reframing What Achievement Looks Like” published on its pages. I speak about my own days as a competitive skater in my childhood, as well as how my son has experienced the ultra-achievement oriented culture that we are surrounded by!
Click on the images below to read the article in its entirety, or visit EcoParent’s website!
This issue is currently on sale at over 1200 newsstands across Canada (Loblaws, Shoppers, Sobey’s, Walmart, Chapters, London Drugs, Overwaitea, Whole Foods, Nature’s Fare, and other independents & small chains), and and the US (Barnes & Noble, Books a Million) – with more on the way!
