✨ Creativity, courage, and a kitten
A story about honoring what lights someone up—even when they’re afraid of it.
This summer, we made a small parenting decision that ended up changing more than we expected.
In the months leading up to summer vacation, we decided to skip the all-summer day camp routine and instead sign each kid up for something more focused.
With my son, it was a no-brainer: soccer camp, as usual.
With my daughter, the signs were clear. She’d dance and sing, practice choreography she learned in PE, and tell the most outrageous stories.
She loved to gather the family around, set up theater-style seating, and perform for us—again and again. Her eyes would light up, her giggles echoed through the room, and her facial expressions captured every emotion she’d ever seen on TV.
She absolutely lit up when she performed at home—but always shied away from doing it anywhere else.
So when I suggested theater camp, it felt obvious.
…she rejected it outright.
The thing she loved most felt too risky once it had an audience.
And that’s where parenthood presents one of those familiar fork-in-the-road moments:
Do I support her choice to say no?
Or is it my responsibility to gently push her toward what I know lights her up, even if she’s scared?
And what would it take for her to say yes?
We thought about that for a while. Then we made her an offer she couldn’t refuse… a kitten.
Yes, we bartered a two-week camp for a permanent new family member. Risky? Absolutely. But she said yes.
And, as if by magic, the universe introduced us to a kitten just a few weeks before camp started.
My daughter followed through on her word.
After the two weeks of camp, performing as part of the ensemble, the spark magnified. The following week after being on stage continued to be full of script reciting, dancing, singing, and living-room performances all over again.
She’s still a little tentative about next year. But I’m proud of our decision to persist, and to trust in what we saw in her.
And yes, the kitten is an added bonus.
Let me be clear, this wasn’t about bribing! Instead, it was about giving her something to hold onto while she did something that felt scary.
Confidence doesn’t come before the leap. It’s built in the leap.
We took a chance on honoring her light. We saw what sparked joy in her, and we emphasized just that: try it, then decide how you feel.
When she’s older, I hope she remembers what she accomplished. That she was brave. That she tried something new. That it wasn’t about being perfect, but it was about putting herself out there.
So the real question becomes:
How do we honor what lights someone up, and help them be brave enough to step into it?
Cheers,
💭 If this resonated…
Hit reply and tell me:
What’s one thing that lights you up—but still feels a little scary?
🌟 Feeling stuck on what lights you up?
If you’re navigating a creative crossroads or trying to reconnect with what brings you joy, I offer 1:1 coaching to help you design your next step with intention.
Whether it’s a whisper of an idea or a big change on the horizon, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Learn more or book a free intro chat
Let’s help you take the leap—kitten not required. 🐾