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Facing Fear & Trying New Things: Parenting Lessons with Rigby
Updated: Nov 3
written by: Daniel Currie
Facing Fear in Small Feathers: A Dad’s Lesson in Trying New Things
Today brought an unexpected first: a pet bird named Rigby hopped onto my shoulders. My family burst into laughter, teasing me for looking tense and uneasy. They swore this tiny bird—who barely had the strength to scratch, let alone fly far—had me intimidated.
But here’s the truth: sometimes the smallest things reveal the biggest lessons about fear, family, and mental health.
The Mistake: Instigating Instead of Respecting
I couldn’t resist teasing Rigby. While he was showing off with his owners—my son Devan and his girlfriend Sarah—I instigated him, invading his little comfort zone. Big mistake.
Rigby lunged. I flinched. My “tough guy” image went out the window. The whole family saw their dad get owned by a bird.
Here’s the kicker though—that moment mirrored what anxiety does to us. When we push against what we don’t understand instead of respecting it, fear jumps back.
The Win: Laughing at Myself and Leaning In
Once I relaxed, I realized Rigby wasn’t scary—he was curious. I managed to walk away without a scratch, without poo on my hoodie, and (thankfully) with my mustache intact.
The lesson? Sometimes you’ve got to laugh at yourself, lean in, and realize fear is smaller than it feels.
Parenting Connection: Modeling Openness for Our Teens
As parents, we tell our teens to try new things—but do we model it ourselves?
By letting Rigby climb on me—even after I flinched—I showed my kids that it’s okay to be nervous and still try. Teens learn resilience not from lectures, but from watching us stumble, laugh, and keep going.
Family Bonding in Everyday Moments
The laughter, the Google Hub videos, the head bobs, camera bites, the chaos—these are the moments that stick. Trying something new together (even if it’s just meeting a bird) becomes family glue.
Research shows that shared experiences reduce stress and strengthen mental health, especially when humor and connection are involved. Rigby wasn’t just a pet—he was a tiny feathered therapist for our family that day.
Why Trying New Things Boosts Mental Health
Interacting with Rigby reminded me of something bigger:
Stepping outside your comfort zone reduces anxiety long-term.
Openness builds resilience.
New experiences keep life from feeling stagnant.
When we—or our teens—try new things, we prove to ourselves that fear doesn’t get the final word.
From Birds to Blogs: The Power of Saying “Yes”
This moment with Rigby ties back to how this blog even started. From CurlyStacheBlogs → GuidingTeenagers → now MentalHorizons, it’s all been one big experiment in saying yes.
Each leap felt uncertain. Each step came with its own “what ifs.” But without trying, none of this—these stories, this community—would exist.
Encouragement for You
So here’s my challenge: What’s one thing you’ve been avoiding that you could try this week?
It doesn’t need to be big. It could be:
tasting a new food,
striking up a conversation with your teen about something uncomfortable,
or saying yes to a family activity you’d normally skip.
Drop your “try new things” story in the comments—I’d love to hear it.
In Memory of Rigby
This post was first written in March 2023. Since then, Rigby sadly passed away in an accident involving another pet. Though his time with us was short, his impact was lasting. This blog is dedicated to his memory—proof that even the smallest lives can leave the biggest mark.
Rest in peace, Rigby. 🕊️
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Originally Written on: March 25, 2023
Most Recent Update on: November 3, 2025
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