As a follow-on to the Free Range parenting post
When I was 11, I was living in Holland with my mum. Neither of us spoke Dutch and we didn't have any family there, or any social network to speak of except for three friends. My mum was doing a great job of looking after me and helping me to settle in, right up to the point when she badly sprained her ankle and could not walk.
We didn't have much food in the house, no money. She couldn't put her weight on her foot at all to go anywhere or do anything. So we came up with a plan of sorts together.
First I went to the bank with her passport and my passport and a letter with her signature explaining the situation. Since I did not speak any Dutch I asked if there was anyone who spoke French or English, then explained the situation again and they were kind enough to let me draw some money so that I could buy food and medicines. I came back with provisions and essentially held down the fort until my aunt arrived from England to take over.
I've always been able to think fast and see ways out of most situations. But I don't think I would have dealt with that situation nearly as well if I hadn't been trained in the art of independence and problem solving and finding my way around by my mother for many years prior.
I've always thought that resilience is my greatest strength, and it cannot be created without adversity. I am buoyant in my core, but I've also been well served in having my confidence in my ability to navigate the world and think my way out of problematic situations supported and trained and reinforced from an early age.
We didn't have much food in the house, no money. She couldn't put her weight on her foot at all to go anywhere or do anything. So we came up with a plan of sorts together.
First I went to the bank with her passport and my passport and a letter with her signature explaining the situation. Since I did not speak any Dutch I asked if there was anyone who spoke French or English, then explained the situation again and they were kind enough to let me draw some money so that I could buy food and medicines. I came back with provisions and essentially held down the fort until my aunt arrived from England to take over.
I've always been able to think fast and see ways out of most situations. But I don't think I would have dealt with that situation nearly as well if I hadn't been trained in the art of independence and problem solving and finding my way around by my mother for many years prior.
I've always thought that resilience is my greatest strength, and it cannot be created without adversity. I am buoyant in my core, but I've also been well served in having my confidence in my ability to navigate the world and think my way out of problematic situations supported and trained and reinforced from an early age.