They gave me a diva.

Having never ridden on a horse before, my immediate thoughts were “why would they give me a diva? And not a mild-manner horse?”

A couple of things you should know: 1) I’ve never ridden on a horse before in my life. 2) I was pretty sure she was going to run off with or without me. Btw- we rode by another group, three horses without riders… so my fears were valid. 😳 

Other than following their basic instructions, I didn’t really know what else to do. Mind you, I didn’t find out I was given the diva of the group until I was already on her back. 

So, I did the only thing I did know how to do… I started talking to her. Doing my best to encouraging her. 

Whenever she’d get stuck or didn’t want to follow the rest of the pack— I’d rubbed her gently and whisper to encourage her to keep going. 

You can do this, Rita. 

Keep going, you’re doing great. 

I believe in you. 

We’re almost there. 

Slow and steady, now. You got this. 

When we finally made it to the beach. It was breathtaking. We had more space to spread out and allow the horses to trot… and Rita was ready. 

I can sense a free spirit in her. She had this longing to be free from following the cadence of the group. 

She wasn’t a diva— or maybe she was. 

She was a wild one. 

Wild, with a longing to be free from the pack. 

While she didn’t enjoy the cadence of following the group— she sure loved being able to trot pass the other horses at her own pace. 

And maybe, like me, you’re raising a wild one. 

Or shall I say, “ones” because my kids all dance to the rhythm of their own beat? 

Perhaps, you too thought you knew what you were getting yourself into when you received that positive pregnancy test. 

And books like “what to expect when you’re expecting” made their way onto your shelves only to make their way to a local donation center shortly afterward. 

Maybe you’re raising a wild one… and you have no idea how to parent him/her. 

What I do know from raising my own herd of wild not-so-little-ones is to allow them to be free… to flourish. 

To lead, and to follow their lead. 

And maybe they simply have a desire to be wild and free. ❤️

As parents, oftentimes, we feel the need to take the rein. To direct and lead versus learning to trust and guide. What lesson have you learned on your parenting journey so far from raising your “wild one(s)?