Risk Defined

Risk- it means so many different things to so many people but judging from my daughter's report cards, that's not always clear.  Ever since Emily has been at school, she has always gotten a big X in the Unsatisfactory box for " takes appropriate risks". When speaking to her teachers, they point to things such as not talking when in the limelight ( standing in front of the class ) and things of that nature.  I don't deny Emily does this, and that's the side of her the teachers see, but I don't think in the grand scheme of life that this is the only meaningful measure of risk a person can take.

The infamous Bowl

Social risk is one thing, but physical risk and mental risk are another, and they're underrated.  The other week my 9 year old daughter pushed herself to ski the bowl at Big Sky Montana, a black diamond run. She even picked a steep line that my husband said made him a little nervous.  Emily was determined and took that risk; it was her goal to ski the bowl and she did it....and she felt great as a result.  So, does my daughter 'melt' when in the limelight in a social setting? Yes, although she does get better with age. Will she keep getting that big fat X on her report card? Probably.  So be it. But does she take risks in many other aspects of her life? Absolutely, and that's a heck of a start to leading a happy and fulfilling life.