from devestated to proud-small victory

[Guest guest]

I have to start with the terrible part... I took my girls to the park since we

had been cooped up inside and the weather was beautiful. I have a three year

old without a care in the world and my little lovely 7 year old worrier/OCD. My

little one went down the firemen pole on the playground. My 7yr old wanted to

too, but was afraid. She starting getting upset...she wanted to do it, she was

afraid to do, she wanted me to help her and then accused me of trying to pull

her off the equipment. Our simple trip to the park became a huge episode...she

was upset with herself for wasting her time at the park by getting upset and had

a mini panick attack...Horrible and it was even worse that she was so mad at

herself and said that she hated herself and her worries were ruining her

life....

Yesterday she told me she wanted to go back to the park. I was more than a

little concerned. We talked about her fears. She talked about how she didn't

need to go down the pole but she was pretty sure she could. SO we went back to

the park. With the encouragement of several children who were the sweetest

blessings....she did it. She was terrified, but she did it. A small victory,

but one that showed her she could fight her fears. She said she was

thinking...I can do it.

I told her she was the bravest person I know b/c she fought back and yesterday

she WON.

I know this is not the end of her struggles, but I think this is the first time

she realized she could stand up against the thoughts in her head.

Had to share.