Emily Freeman
About the Author

Emily P. Freeman is a writer who creates space for souls to breathe. She is the author of four books, including her most recent release, Simply Tuesday: Small-Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World. She and her husband live in North Carolina with their twin daughters and twinless son.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. WOW! I feel like this sometimes. I stand and watch because I have no idea how to engage. It’s too overwhelming. Your daughter stood her ground. She had the courage to stay and see it through. That’ huge. Oh the lessons children teach us.

  2. I also have two little girls. The oldest is in school now and she wants to join all the activities. She is a Daisy Scout which I believe she enjoys the uniform above all else that they do as a Daisy.

  3. am an “on the fringe, observing” kind of gal myself…see the same thing in my daughters and relate to each and every one of your words. HE has allowed the frustration and hope for them to engage to give way to appreciation of the BEAUTY of their CONTENTMENT in “standing” and watching.

  4. wow… for her. and for you. to continue with the class without that hand to hold… and to hover on the edge of the fun. this mama might not have been able to see past the anger, and there you are able to put it aside and find something so unique… a little girl and her own brand of courage. hurrah!

  5. I can so relate! My girl goes to Tumbling class every week, and watches. She occasionally will do an activity when her group is on to the next one, but hardly ever when she is “supposed” to. And I wonder why I pay for this. Yet she is learning and enjoying it…
    Love this post!

  6. Wow! As a mommy of a 2 year old little toddler (going on 14) I can so appreciate this post! I too, sad to say it, have my Mommy-monster come out more than I would like.
    I have contemplated having my daughter try some dance classes when she is 3 or 4…. I can totally picture her doing the same thing.
    It is amazing when we look at our children…. and they are not the little babies we once held – they are daily being shaped into “little people”… “little people” who will one day be young ladies, and grown women just like us!
    May they be women that continue to “stand” in the midst of fear and anxiety… if all they can do is simply,
    stand…
    Love,
    Traci

  7. That’ll preach, Traci 🙂 It is pretty unbelievable and strange to consider them other than us…their own little persons. I can’t imagine my mom felt this way about me. But I know that she did and probably still does.

  8. I know you are describing something that really happened, but I also feel like it’s a beautiful analogy for how I live my life sometimes. I’m there, I want to be included and involved, but I just can’t participate fully. So I stand there. And watch.
    Hmmm. This makes me think.

  9. Ohhhh…i love this:
    “But I also know what it’s like to miss out on the fullness of the dance because of fear, anxiety or expectations.”
    Girl, me too. That is such a good line.
    I grew up dancing…my first day of classes my feet didnt even hit the floor. My teacher carried me around on her hip the whole time!
    Blessings,
    Kate 🙂