From a very young age, we have instilled in our children the belief that they should never limit who they are or what they can become. This philosophy has shaped our parenting approach and has guided the way we nurture and support Cooper and Case.
When Cooper was a little boy, he had a charming habit of introducing himself to every stranger he encountered with, "Hi, I am Cooper Alan Mangini," often followed by a delightful tangent of whatever was on his mind at the time. We encouraged his individuality and let him dress himself from a young age—a choice that his now-opinionated teenage self sometimes cringes at, but one that allowed him to express his unique personality freely.
Case, on the other hand, has always been seen within our family as the more reserved and introverted one. However, as he entered a more formal school environment, we quickly realized that he is not shy or introverted; he is simply different from his boisterous older brother. This realization has helped us appreciate and celebrate the distinct personalities of our boys even more.
Our philosophy of not limiting our children's potential extends to their involvement in various activities. Cooper and Case have participated in every sport or activity our town has offered. From soccer to swimming, basketball to ballet, there hasn't been a single sport or activity that we haven't supported wholeheartedly. As parents, we often find ourselves taking on roles as coaches, volunteers, and fundraisers—not just to ensure the best opportunities for our kids, but for all the children involved.
We also believe in exposing our children to the world and encouraging them to be fearless. At family or friends' events, you will likely find Cooper and Case tumbling, climbing trees, or jumping from heights. We often face questions from concerned onlookers, such as, "Are you scared they will get hurt?" or "How do you deal with the stress?" Our response is always the same: we are not scared, we are not worried, and we don't manage it—we encourage it.
By fostering this sense of adventure and fearlessness, we hope our boys will always push their limits, try new things, and live life to the fullest. We want them to grow up without regrets or missed opportunities, to dive into experiences and land on their feet, no matter what challenges come their way.
In our family, we believe that the sky is the limit. We aim to provide Cooper and Case with the tools, support, and freedom to explore their passions and become the best versions of themselves. By doing so, we hope they will always know that they are capable of achieving anything they set their minds to, and that they should never limit who they are.
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