Today I’m thankful for teachers who have faith in what our kiddos can accomplish when we as parents might not.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe Sky can do whatever she wants. Olympic Swimmer…yes! Win Chopped Jr…heck yeah! Be on Naked and Afraid…but of  course. However, when she came home from school on a Thursday saying she was going to sew a dress for her doll so it could be in the 2nd grade art show on Tuesday I had big doubts.

She informed me her teacher got her fabric, needle and thread and now she needed me to teach her how to use said needle and thread to sew a dress…umm I don’t sew. I mean basic needle and thread skills to sew on a button sure, but make a dress…not so much. To be clear Sky does not know how to sew either, or cut a pattern, or any of it really. Who decides to sew a dress when they don’t know how to sew and have it ready in four days…my kid that’s who! Lesson learned, it’s ok not to play it safe all the time.

Her latest kick is to be a fashion designer and I’m fine with that, but I was a little panicked thinking this dress wasn’t going to happen and if it did it would be a hot mess. Inside my head I was trying to think of a supportive way to redirect the project like do a mock-up or idea board with fabric and embellishment samples etc. But, Sky wasn’t having it, she wanted to sew a dress. So I teach her how to do a basic stitch and off she goes to school.

Turns out her classroom and art teacher had a plan, because her doll ended up fully clothed in a dress complete with sparkly glitter. Granted it’s held together with a lot of hot glue and fabric ties, but they heard her dream and found a way to make it happen.

I’d like to think I can give her all the support and encouragement she’ll ever need, but  that’s not reality. I’m always going to land on the side of practicality, and being realistic, I try to tamp it down and support her dreams, but sometimes I need help with that.

Sky loves her teacher this year and she has been so supportive of all Sky’s goals and ideas. We have been lucky to have the same art teacher for three years now and Sky truly has a heart for art. I’m so thankful she has these two amazing ladies in her life this year to support her and find ways to make things happen when I’m stuck in the reality of it all.

Thankful for awesome teacher and lessons learned from my kiddo.

What are you thankful for?