Let Them Fail. Let Them Fall.

Last year I saw a presentation by Dr. Ron Friedman covering his book “Best Places to Work.” He was sharing modern-day culture strategies companies use to engage their employees. One strategy is rewarding employees for risks and failures. Basically, companies need their people to not be afraid to fail so that they keep trying for that next big thing.

Dr. Friedman then related this concept to kids. WHAT IF children never tried to walk because they were afraid of falling? What if they just sat back, watched, took it all in and one day once they’ve seen it all, got up and walked? Except it doesn’t work like that. It takes those steps, that risk, those falls to get it down. It takes practice. It takes dusting it off and trying again. Eventually kids aren’t just walking, they’re running, sprinting, and onward the cycle goes.

I was at dinner with a friend when my one-and-half year old climbed into the chair next to us. He was sitting on the edge of it and soon wanted down. I debated. Do I whisk in assist or do I let him try to get down himself… in a public place… in front of my friend?

He fell. It could have been ugly. Except he caught himself with his hands. We brushed off. He moved on. Not a single tear involved.

I’m proud of letting my little one try.

I see the progress and changes as he grows. I see him learning. Sometimes I worry too much about judgement, and sometimes I think we all subconsciously pressure ourselves and each other to feel that judgement and question every single thing we do. But risk-taking, and encouraging it, shouldn’t feel uncomfortable. It’s part of our internal makeup.

Do we encourage our kids enough to take risks? Are we setting them up to succeed or holding them back because we’re afraid to fail or fall?

Kendra Germenis
Kendra joined the mom club in 2016, followed by the #boymom club in Summer 2019. Kendra loves to write, and for AMB, enjoys sharing her new parent experiences, tips, and general love of Austin. For her, life is a balance of spending quality time with her family, pursuing her program management career, and still soaking up life and adventures. She also freelances through her art and design shop, Kitsy Co. Assorted loves: art, date nights, culture, road trips, Bravo, breweries, chocolate, house remodeling, sunshine, live music and patios.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here