Recently, I came across an article about micromanagement that was comparing rock climbing to corporate management. The author likened managers to "belayers", supporting employees like climbers. This concept mirrored my views on parenting – offering guidance without stifling independence. I, as a novice climber myself, found this analogy particularly insightful. I shared this connection in the comments, and it inspired a poem exploring this theme of supportive parenting through the lens of rock climbing... if I can call it one...
Here is the article I am referring to ,
https://medium.com/onebigthought/youre-not-managing-enough-56dfc99519fd
And here is my poem ..
A daughter's belay
This route is yours, the paths you choose,
I may not be there for every hold.
Life's a challenge you will face,
But remember there's a belayer untold.
New holds appear, unseen before,
Reach out and grab with all your might.
"Impossible!" say the naysayers galore,
But this it is, your dream, hold it tight.
I give you slack and feed you the rope,
Each fall a lesson, a grip renewed,
Trusting your strength, letting you cope.
Resilience built, never subdued.
That final haul, a gasp and a grin,
A vista unveiled and beauty that enthral,
The summit conquered your sweet win.
I am just a belayer, lest you fall…..
Dad
P.S. You will remember this poem when your daughter rolls her eyes and says "I need my space!"