We went our on our bike ride

My youngest got in a bit of a panic when he saw the path we had to ride down

It had thistles, nettles and overgrown bushes

He was convinced he couldn't ride down this path

I worked with him and encouraged him, told him I believed he could do it.....

Once he knew I believed in him, he changed in a big way, he got back on his bike and together we got down the track. I can't tell you he enjoyed that part of the ride, but I do know he was very pleased with himself when he had gotten to the end of that particular part of the track and we were back to a clearing.

It made me think of the time when I had no self belief at all, I had been told for years, that I was not capable of achieving things, or it would be too difficult for me or I didn't have the skills etc etc So when I was in my marriage the reason I was unhappy for so long was because I believed there was nothing I could do to make things better and I was incapable of surviving on my own.

One of the most empowering processes I have gone through since the marriage ended, was to once again believe in myself.  I used to be unable to take compliments in any way, shape or form, I would even refuse to think of myself as a good mother, but guess what!!!! I am a good mother, I have children that love me, care for me and don't care who knows about it, we work together through our issues, talk through problems, decide on things together and enjoy being together, so I finally accept I am a Good Mother!!!

I am going to work hard and making sure my children always believe in themselves

With self belief you can overcome anything

Children need to know that it is great to believe in yourself, there is nothing wrong with it at all, unless we cross the line into arrogance.

How many times do we have to hear our children say they can't do it!  before we realise that the words they need to hear from us is that we believe in them, we believe they will find a way, we believe they have the capabilities.

What a great gift we are giving to our children to empower them to travel through their life with self belief that they are good hearted youngsters, they can achieve their goals if they work at it, and to trust their own instincts.