Boundaries

I was brought up with very strict boundaries in my childhood. It’s an interesting journey that I’m on now, balancing my own upbringing with that of my own child. Where do we draw these unseen lines in his life? How do we navigate when to extend them out further or bring them in?

I find that my child has shown me how important it is to have boundaries. He has such an understanding of them and an instinct of how to expand them when it is time. He has shown me that we continue to grow, no matter what age we are. There is always room to expand – and then go beyond that expansion.

Sometimes he goes so far that he falls. . . literally “falls” hard over and over again. He did it for three weeks straight when he was balancing his strides in running and riding his bike. Faster and faster and faster. He really wanted to see how far he could push himself. Well, the cuts on his knees did not fully heal before he got another one. It wasn’t until the third gash that he chose to slow down. He made this choice on his own. Believe me, as a parent it was very difficult to watch and allow it to happen, but my partner and I felt reassured that at least he was safe within our presence.

Now he is into leaping across rocks and jumping off heights. So again, I have to adjust and consider what is dangerous for him today – and what will no longer be a problem tomorrow.

What about us adults? How far do we extend ourselves with relationships and businesses – or with work situations? How do we begin to let go of the fear of falling and learn to move forward?

[tags]childhood, relationships, fear, let go of fear, my son riding a bike[/tags]