Elementary Role Models

When elementary school gets out today, I’ll meet Ivy on the playground and then we’ll participate in Girls with Grace, the running club.

While Ivy likes it when I attend Girls with Grace, she doesn’t necessarily want to run WITH me.

It’s okay, I take this slight in stride.

There are plenty of other adults with whom I can run. Other parents who have the day off or sneak out of work early or, like me, work from home on their own schedules.

I like to think that we’re setting an example for our kids.

Maybe that’s true.

And maybe it’s a little arrogant.

After all, we parents are the tag-a-longs.

The ones really leading by example are the girls who show up.

The girls who don’t have any friends in the group (yet), but swallow their fears and show up again and again.

The sixth grader who just might be the only sixth grader.

The kindergartner who just might be the only kindergartner.

The girls who always finish long after the rest of the group, but keep trying anyway.

The other girls who run back to cheer on those stragglers.

The natural athlete who runs double what the rest of the group does to make sure she’s challenging herself.

It’s an awesome group of kids who work hard, have fun, cheer each other on, and engage in healthy activities.

They are a great reminder that when it comes to those who lead by example, we don’t have to turn on the television or the computer, or look for someone older or wiser, or try to identify someone in our field with more money or accolades.

We can find excellent models to follow in the simple kindness of kids.