I can take care of myself

He laid on his belly, preparing to launch himself forcefully down the slide.

I was watching, unconvinced. Pay attention, I cautioned, not wanting to remind him of the obvious, to be careful…of whatever.

“I can take care of myself.” It was a statement. A declaration, even. Not an exclamation. He was calm and certain.

I was hit with pride and wistfulness. A bit of sadness at losing him mixed up together and shaken with joy at hearing him speak so confidently. It’s a new phase.

When I think about the journey to raising a child with an entrepreneurial spirit, this is good news.