POV: you weren't dressed for running, but your child was doing something way outside their comfort zone and they were feeling scared and nervous

Kierstyn had her very first cross country meet on Tuesday. She had been SO excited about cross country, but closer it got to the race, the more nervous she got. As we were standing at the starting line, I could see the anxiety gripping her. We were talking through what to expect and I could tell she was really struggling. So I said, “Do you want me to run alongside you on the outside of the rope?” Immediately, I saw relief wash over her. I wasn’t dressed for running at all as I had come straight from my work day to pick her up from school to go to the race. But that didn’t matter. My girl was doing something way outside her comfort zone and I wanted her to know she was not doing it alone. So I ran beside her on the outside of the rope in my dress and sandals. In a few spots, when she told me she couldn’t keep going, I held her hand and we ran together. ❤️ And she finished the race!! I was so proud of her. She may have been one of the last kids to cross the finish line, but on Tuesday, she won because she went out there and did something that really scared her and she didn’t quit. And next week, she’ll know more what to expect — and I’ll also know to show up in my running clothes, just in case. 🙃