Boy on bicycle

Mark, two weeks before his third birthday, is riding without training wheels. He loved the balance bike and watching us pedal, so I gave him the bike to try. He didn't like it at all for a couple days, but this morning he insisted on riding to the park.

On the way there, he balanced and watched Scott like a hawk. On the way back, he started peddling. It was so emotional for him! He fell down a lot, of course, but always wanted to get right back on. He was excited and scared and proud and in bawling tears from that emotional cocktail 2 blocks before home. (Long recovery nap after that.) But after dinner, when he showed Dad his new skill, he was happiness and pride.

And I'm so proud of him, too! Not for the peddling, who cares about training wheels anyway? I'm so proud of his courage. I love encouraging him. I want to say "Okay, let's try it. I believe in you. How can we make this happen?" when he has big, wild ideas like riding bikes to the park at 2 years old, or building tree houses at 12, or teaching at an Indian orphanage at 22.

He and his brother are little powerhouses. They talk to everyone and touch everything. They ask loud questions all the livelong day. These boys have a thirst for life. They want to know and try and do!

I'll admit there are times, many times, when I wish them still and quiet. I want others to see clean, obedient little ducklings and think I am a good mother because I have "good" children.

But I remind myself that the goal is not to raise humans whose primary character trait is well-behaved. God sent me (at least*) two powerhouses, and I am going to do my best to raise curious, empowered, brave people. Boy on a bicycle today, man tomorrow.

What are the most important traits you want for your children (biological or not?) What traits do you think are universally important, regardless of personality?


*I don't know June well enough yet to say about her personality.