From the Desk of Keith Hafner

Confidence: Zeke’s Story

Zeke was so excited when he received an invitation from his best friend, Jesse, to sleep overnight. He was six years old, and this would be his first time away from home by himself.

He talked about it for days. When the day finally came, Zeke had his gear ready early in the day. However, as they were going out the door, Zeke suddenly developed a stomachache.

“Maybe I better not go,” he told his mother. So mom called Jesse’s mom. They rescheduled for the following Friday night.

When the same series of events repeated itself the following Friday, mom said to herself, “Now I understand. This overnight trip takes Zeke outside his comfort zone!”

So mom made a plan. They rehearsed every part of an overnight trip. They talked about what it would be like to go to sleep in a different house. What would happen at meal times? Where he would keep his toothbrush? When would Mom drop him off, and pick him up?

So Zeke, with his mother’s help, practiced the overnight trip.

He even slept in his sleeping bag on the floor of the family room, pretending he was at Jesse’s house.

When it came time to try again, Zeke was mildly apprehensive, but nothing like before. When it came time to leave, he bravely went out the door. Zeke had a wonderful time, and never struggled with this challenge again.

Zeke’s mom was smart. She recorded this event in Zeke’s’ “Victory Book,” and used it to remind Zeke that he could, in fact, move outside his comfort zone!