Snowboard.  I love it.  Gliding down the icy snow. It has been several years since we have gone.  Last time was about 5 or 6 years ago.  The kid tried and failed.  He has tried other sports since: wakeboarding, dirt jumping .... He wanted to give snowboarding another try.  

It didn't come easy.  Try, crash, burn... repeat.  After about an hour, he started to get the feel of it, yet was discouraged and wished he had gone with skis.  Ok,  I was willing to do that if it would improve his experience, but pointed out that he was better than when we started an hour ago.  I did not want him to give  up.  I don't care, really, if he skis or snowboards, I just did not want him to give up learning and go the easier route.  

We took a short break and moved up to next level of slope.  Bigger, more wide open, easier to work on turns.   

It went well,  he stuck with it and by the end of the night, we found ourselves on the lift that took us to the top of the mountain.  Granted, we butt slid the first steep part, but then is was game on.  Gliding, turning, breathing, enjoying.  

Parents, its not always about us.  When our kids are challenged, don't give up and succeed,  we succeed.  Teach them to persevere, but be willing to let them back down and take a step back to look at the big picture.