5 Ways My Kids Are Boosting My Courage

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I’ve always been a bit of a scaredy-cat. My list of fears is pretty extensive, covering everything from creepy crawlies and birds to social gatherings and trying anything new. Speaking up in groups larger than four? A nightmare. And clowns? Don’t even get me started. Oh, and the dark? Yeah, that’s a definite no for me. I also dread making phone calls. You get the gist.

As an introvert and a chronic worrier, I’ve spent a solid 30 years comfortably nestled in my cozy little bubble, finding clever ways to avoid confronting my fears. That was until I became a mom. Let me tell you, on that freezing day 20 months ago when I welcomed my first child into the world (and it was literally -40 degrees outside!), I quickly learned that parenthood doesn’t allow for any chicken-shit behavior. My kids have pushed me to step out of my safe haven and embrace bravery.

Here are five ways my children inspire me to be courageous every day:

1. Bye-Bye Comfort Zone
   Becoming a mom made it clear that comfort zones are a luxury I can’t afford. Sure, comfort food is great, but comfort zones? Not so much. I think the delivery room was where my comfort zone went to die, along with any shred of dignity. As a parent, I find myself donning bunny ears in public and busting out dance moves in the grocery store. Singing silly songs at the library and making silly faces at the park? Yup, that’s all part of the job description. Unleashing your inner child feels way more exhilarating than sticking to what’s comfortable.
2. My Give-a-Damn is Broken
   Before kids, I was a bit too concerned with what others thought of me—friends, family, even strangers. Then, mommy-hood happened. There are days when I leave the house in yesterday’s yogurt-stained leggings and realize I haven’t showered. To survive parenting, I’ve learned to let go of worrying about others’ opinions. As long as my kids are fed, clothed, and relatively happy, I don’t have time to care about anything else.
3. Kids = Free Therapy
   There’s no better way to face your fears than to confront them daily. Parenthood forces me into exposure therapy repeatedly. Scared of phone calls? Too bad—you’ve got 20 appointments for your kids this month. Not a fan of new places? Guess what? All your child’s appointments are at locations you’ve never heard of. Fearful of snakes and spiders? Your kid just caught one and is bringing it over for a show-and-tell. Daily parenting challenges are like free therapy sessions—who needs to pay for those?
4. Be Assertive
   As an introvert and people-pleaser, being assertive has never come easily for me. But becoming a parent pushed me to find my voice. I’ve had to learn to stand my ground, especially when it comes to setting boundaries with my strong-willed daughter. Speaking up for my kids when they can’t do it themselves is a small but significant act of bravery that I’m proud to model for them.
5. Chase Your Dreams
   I have big dreams for my children—dreams I was too shy to go after myself. Now, as a mom, I realize that the best way to inspire my kids is to pursue my own dreams. This means being brave enough to take risks, whether it’s creatively or professionally. Whether it’s asking for a promotion or running a marathon, knowing my kids are watching pushes me to be the best version of myself.

These five acts of bravery may seem small compared to the heroic feats many people achieve daily, but I’ve come to believe that courage can manifest in countless ways. For this recovering scaredy-cat, these little acts inspired by my fearless kids might as well earn me a superhero cape—at least I’m no longer hiding in my cozy bubble.

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Summary:

In this piece, I share how my children have pushed me to embrace bravery in various aspects of life, from stepping out of my comfort zone to pursuing my dreams. Each day presents new opportunities to face my fears, and though these acts may seem small, they are significant steps toward personal growth and courage.