When my daughter’s riding instructor, Sarah, calls on a Tuesday morning, I brace myself for unwelcome news. Sarah typically sends a quick text, so a call is out of the ordinary.
“Maya had a fall from her horse,” she says, her tone heavy. “Her arm is broken.”
Inside, I feel my heart sink. Just a week into summer vacation, and with finances tight, we had hoped this pony camp would be a highlight of Maya’s summer. We wanted her to have joyful memories to cherish, but now that dream feels shattered.
As I navigate the winding roads to the stables, I replay the carefree moments from just two hours earlier. Maya and her friend, Lily, were buzzing with excitement in the backseat, their laughter filling the car as they looked forward to a day spent with their beloved ponies. I had warned them to keep their arms inside—“What if a branch hits you? You could break your arm! Imagine missing out on riding and swimming this summer!” Did I really voice those words?
Upon arriving at the stable, I find Maya resting on a couch with an ice pack beside her injured arm. A fellow camper’s parent watches over her, and as our eyes meet, I can see the worry mirrored in her gaze.
“My arm hurts,” Maya whispers when she sees me.
Later, she reveals she knew immediately it was broken. “It looked like my arm had two elbows,” she says, her innocence clashing with the harsh reality of injury.
The following hours are filled with pain, waiting, and disbelief. I feel overwhelmed as a nurse suggests I bring Maya’s social security card for her medical records. Maya only tears up when she learns she’ll need an IV for sedation, while I step outside, my heart heavy at the thought of her undergoing a procedure to rebreak her arm in order to set it properly.
Maya has always connected with animals more than toys. Since starting riding lessons, I felt a mix of pride and anxiety. Her first pony camp last summer was uneventful, and the lessons throughout the year mostly went smoothly. Despite my apprehensions, riding brought so many benefits: outdoor activity, discipline, and focus. I envisioned her cultivating a connection with nature and gaining confidence with every ride.
But injuries are part of riding. Just a week and a half after her first horse show, Maya falls, fracturing her arm in two places. Thank goodness she’s resilient.
That summer, everyone asks about her cast: “Will you ride again?” Her doctor reassures us, “In my experience, young riders can’t wait to get back in the saddle.” Maya responds with a confident yes, but I start to wonder—should she?
Society often tells us to push through fear and encourage bravery. As her mother, I feel the pressure to guide her back into the arena, despite my instinct to protect her. Why should she risk falling again?
Eventually, the day of her next lesson arrives. Maya’s cast is gone, replaced by a supportive splint. I wear sunglasses to hide my concern as I watch her canter again at her instructor’s signal. I feel joy rise as she rides, but dread follows closely behind.
Later, I receive an email from Maya’s teacher, who empathizes with our situation. She shares a personal story about her daughter’s riding mishaps and how she learned to let her daughter take risks. “Sometimes, we can’t protect them from pain,” she writes. This message resonates deeply, reminding me that sometimes our attempts to shield our children from harm can end up being detrimental.
Maya doesn’t fall during her next lesson, but there is no next lesson. Instead, she decides she wants to join the Girls on the Run program at school that afternoon. I feel a mix of relief and concern. I reach out to Sarah, who reassures me that Maya is welcome to return to riding whenever she feels ready.
This journey has taught me that resilience often grows through challenges, and while I want to protect my child, I also want her to develop the strength to face her fears. To read more about nurturing our kids’ resilience, check out this other insightful post here. For those considering home insemination, reputable online retailers like Make a Mom offer essential kits. Additionally, the CDC provides excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, allowing children to face and overcome setbacks is crucial for their growth. As parents, we must learn to navigate the fine line between protection and encouragement, allowing them to build resilience through their experiences.
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