Confidence in Training

Dear CleftStrong family, 

With our CleftStrong 5k and Kids 1k around the corner, I wanted to share a little more about something especially close to my heart this year: Confidence in Training.  It's our parent/child duo costume contest theme this year and it brings together so many things I care deeply about in my work with children. 

As parents, we want so many of the same things for our children.  We want them to believe in themselves, find good friends, discover what they love, try new things and know they can get through the moments that don't go quite as planned. 

And there are so many of those moments growing up. 

Maybe it's getting an answer wrong in front of classmates, figuring out how to join a new group, trying something for the first time or feeling embarrassed when something doesn't go the way they hoped.  We've probably all watched our children encounter moments when we'd love to hand them the confidence they need. 

One thing I have come to appreciate through parenting, education, and children's mindset coaching is that confidence can grow through those very moments.  Children can learn practical ways to work through a mistake, consider what they might try differently, ask for help and take their next step. 

I especially love this idea within growth mindset - that learning and ability can continue to develop through practice, different strategies and support.  A mistake doesn't have to be the end of the story.  It can be something to work through and learn from. 

For our CleftStrong families, I think that message carries an especially meaningful layer. 

Our children may grow up navigating medical appointments and procedures alongside all of the ordinary experiences of childhood - school, friendships, questions, differences, new experiences and simply figuring out who they are in this great -big -wide -world. 

We can not prepare them for every situation they will ever encounter.  But we can walk beside them as they discover their strengths and build skills they can carry into whatever comes next. 

That's what Confidence in Training makes me think of as we slide into race day. 

So this Sunday, confidence doesn't have to mean running the fastest, being the loudest, or doing everything perfectly. 

It might look like showing up.  Trying something new.  Encouraging the child (or adult) beside you.  Accepting a helping hand.  Getting back up.  Or simply taking the next step.  Maybe that's a message that sticks with many of us long after the finish line moments in time: I have it within  me.  I can find my next step. 

Thank you for being part of our CleftStrong family and for celebrating the many different victories our children experience along the way. 

I can 't wait to share a morning of Miles of Meaning with many of you this Sunday.  

Always cheering you on, 
Chelsea Ortiz
Founder and Director
CleftStrong | CleftStrong 5k
Creator of The Owl's Haven