
My older daughter has this great, soft slide made of foam covered with vinyl. I thought maybe the elevated surface would help with the reflux and, if not, at least it's easy to wipe off. I placed my baby so her chin was just above the top of the slide thinking it would encourage her to hold her head up. She did. Then she started climbing. twice she scooted herself several inches up the slide before slipping back down. She just kept trying. The third time I placed my hand flat for her to use as a kick-plate and she made it up.
It wasn't just her accomplishment that made me happy; it was her smile. She was on her tummy and happy. She was moving herself around. It was a moment to celebrate!
Throughout the day several more opportunities presented themselves. How could I get creative to find an answer? Creative choices for my older daughter provided several smooth transitions. And as bedtime approached with the colicky, witching hour for my little one, I even found a creative solution for this struggle. I won't say it came without frustration, I'm human. Yet after a short breather I was able to find something that worked...at least this time.
I'm so grateful for breathing breaks. I'm grateful to be creative. I'm grateful to have a day of "wins". I'm grateful to watch my daughter scale her own little mountain and feel like I cleared a hurdle as well. I'm grateful to watch her sweet face both determined and happy. I'm grateful for these little moments because I know how fleeting they are. I'm grateful for a positive theme for a day of achievement. I'm grateful to be making progress in climbing my own personal mountains.
What mountains are you climbing? What measurements do you use for your success? What creative problem solving can you use?
May we remember we only fail when we give up trying and even that isn't a clear cut line. May we recognize sometimes a slide backwards is just to help us find a more solid foothold. And may we propel ourselves forward with persistence. Have a beautiful day!