Today, my daughter and I finally returned to story time at the library after what felt like ages. Life has been hectic, and our last attempt a few months ago was overwhelming for my then 2-year-old. Story time for preschoolers is filled with stories, songs, and plenty of movement. When the librarian opened the first book, nearly all the kids dashed to the center of the room, buzzing with excitement and eager to be part of the action.
As I observed the other children, I noticed their mothers didn’t need to encourage them to join the fun, which is something I often find myself doing with my daughter. Instead, those kids instinctively knew where they wanted to be. Meanwhile, my little one and I lingered at the edges, observing.
My daughter tends to be a watcher. She takes in everything around her and feels more comfortable on the periphery rather than in the spotlight. While society often pressures kids to be at the center of attention, I realized that my daughter’s preference for the sidelines didn’t need to be changed.
Previously, I pushed her to step out of her comfort zone, believing that it would help her grow. I would sometimes joke about how many tears I had caused her while trying to get her to join in. But today was different. I decided it was okay for her to stay on the outskirts, and we both sat there together for the entire half-hour. She was on my lap, holding my hand, and I was there to support her.
At first, she was quiet, but gradually she began to engage more. By the end of story time, she was singing along to “Itsy Bitsy Spider” with enthusiasm, moving her hands in the air. She found her own rhythm and comfort within the space we created together. Instead of forcing her to adapt to my ideas of comfort, I allowed her to define her own, and I could see her confidence growing.
I’m learning that my daughter doesn’t need pressure to succeed right now; she needs my support and affirmation. She needs me to trust her instincts and listen to her gut feelings. I believe that by respecting her comfort levels, she’ll flourish into the person she is meant to be, rather than trying to mold her into someone else’s vision.
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In summary, I’ve come to realize that it’s important to let my daughter navigate her own comfort zone. By doing so, I hope to help her grow into a confident individual who trusts her instincts.