If you had told me a decade ago that my greatest cheerleader would be a tiny human I helped bring into the world, I’d have laughed. But here I am, a proud mom, blessed with a nine-year-old daughter whose unshakable belief in my talents leaves me speechless. She thinks I’m capable of anything—and I mean anything. To her, I’m an artist, a chef, a comedian, and, apparently, an untapped entrepreneurial powerhouse. This post is dedicated to her, my pint-sized motivator, who thinks I can conquer the world one business venture at a time.
Kids have a way of seeing the world that adults sometimes forget. They see possibilities instead of obstacles, magic in the mundane, and strength in the people they love. My nine-year-old daughter is no exception. She’s the kind of girl who watches me create art for my bedroom and thinks my art needs to be in museums. She thinks my cake decorating could rival the professionals on TV. And don’t even get me started on her opinion of my cooking—every dish I make is “the best thing ever!” To be honest, it really is.
To her, I’m a walking, talking bundle of untapped potential, and she’s determined to make sure I realize it. Every time I mention a new idea—whether it’s a fleeting thought or a half-baked plan—she’s the first to light up. “You should totally do that, Mom!” she says with so much enthusiasm it makes me pause. She’ll grab her younger sister and turn our kitchen into a cheering section, clapping her hands and declaring, “You’re the best! You can do anything!” In quiet moments. She will ask how is my idea coming along.
Her words are so pure and so confident that, I believe her. But then the doubt sometimes creeps in, as it so often does for us grown-ups. What if I fail? What if it’s not good enough? And that’s when my nine-year-old steps in with her signature wisdom far beyond her years: “Mom, you won’t know until you try. And you’re awesome, so it will be amazing.”
Let me tell you, this girl has ideas. She’s convinced I could turn any one of my hobbies into a thriving business. After tasting one of my chocolate chip cookies, she declared, “You should open a bakery! People would line up to buy these.” She’s obsessed with the little paintings and sketches I make for fun. “Mom, you could sell these. They’re so pretty." When I told her I was starting a home organizing business, The Tidy Habit she was extremely excited. She would show me her organizing skills and talk about being part of the business when she gets older. Unfortunately, after moving to Upstate NY, I decided to abandon ship. Even then she asks, "Mom, will you start the business again?"
Every time she pitches a new idea, I am amazed at her belief in me. Deep down, I’m touched. She truly believes I can do anything. In addition to her endless encouragement, my daughter has a knack for delivering pep talks that rival anything you’d hear from a professional life coach.
One of the most profound things about having a child who believes in you is that it forces you to reconsider your own self-perception. I sometimes find myself wondering: If only I can see myself the way she sees me.
To her, I’m not just “Mom.” I’m a creator, a dreamer, and someone who can accomplish anything I set my mind to. Her belief in me is so steadfast that it’s rubbing off. If my daughter has taught me anything, it’s that no dream is too big—or too small. Whether it’s starting a business or trying a new recipe, every effort matters. Her fearless attitude reminds me that failure isn’t the end of the world. It’s just a step on the path to success. One of her favorite sayings is, “It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be fun.” That’s advice I try to carry with me every day.
It wouldn’t be fair to leave out my younger daughter, who is just as enthusiastic about my talents as her big sister. Together, they’re like a little fan club, always ready with compliments, encouragement, and maybe a few giggles at my sillier moments. The two of them have a way of boosting my confidence in a way no one else can. They think I’m talented, and capable of anything—so why shouldn’t I think that too?
If my daughters can see all this potential in me, then maybe it’s time I start seeing it too. It’s so easy to let self-doubt take over, to downplay your talents and dismiss your ideas before they even have a chance to grow. But my nine-year-old’s belief in me has taught me an important lesson:
The only thing standing in the way of my dreams is me. So maybe it’s time to take a leap of faith, to start that business venture or pursue that passion project. Because if my biggest cheerleader thinks I can do it, then who am I to argue?
I don’t know exactly what the future holds, but I do know one thing: whatever I decide to do, my daughters will be right there cheering me on. And that’s all the motivation I need to take that first step.
To my nine-year-old cheerleader, thank you for believing in me. Your faith in me means more than you’ll ever know. And to all the moms out there reading this: if your kids believe in you, maybe it’s time to believe in yourself too.
댓글