As a Mom, I have two feelings that war inside me as it relates to my kiddo. He's an only child, likely to stay that way, and so this is my one shot at parenting.
The struggle is this:
Feeling one: He's my little boy and I want to cherish every moment he is young and relies on me (he's 7 right now). He'll grow up so fast and then won't need me.
Feeling two: I need to teach him to solve his own problems and start the journey toward growing up and becoming independent.
I really believe feeling two is the way to go. There seem to be lots of kids who want to be independent early in life and do things on their own. Brady's not one of them.
There were not too many, "Me do it!" statements when he was littler. Even now, at 7, he'd probably be happy to let Mom get him dressed and brush his teeth. Ha!
So it is up to me to encourage his independence whenever I can, even if he doesn't want me to or maybe even if I don't want me to.
But it works! The other day he spilled some milk. He looked at me and said, "I spilled milk!" I said, "Well, go get the wash cloth and clean it up." So he did. I could have even taken it a step further and just said, "Well, what can you do about it?" and let him come up with the solution himself. Note to self: do that next time!
The very next day he was playing on the computer in the back room and I heard him rummaging around in the kitchen. "Watcha doing?" I asked.
"I spilled some milk and I'm cleaning it up."
Yay! He learned. As always, they look to us to teach them how to solve their problems. And if we've done a good job, the next time they solve it on their own.
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- Our raging river and hearty okra
- KS flood photos: the river broke free!
- Guest posting: What gardens teach kids
- The wonder of Colorado's natural beauty
- KS weather keeps you on your toes
- Homemade pizza: easy, cheap & gourmet!
- Easy stewed Squash, Tomatoes, Peppers and Okra
- Snoopy's wise words: Be yourself
- Cicada music and firefly light show
- What is your kid's currency?
- Sweet things Brady says... about Mom's love...
- Encouragement parenting and the spirited child
- Guest posting: 70 ways to get outdoors
- Having grace when your feelings are hurt
- Doubled reading goal = 1st Chuck E. Cheese trip!
- Homemade ice cream in a bag in 5 minutes!
- Easy crockpot chicken and rice
- On my way learning to hunt
- A double nomination? I'm a lucky girl!
- 100+ degrees? Put the pool & sprinkler in shade
- Pen pals: A lost tradition?
- Kid confidence builder: our drawing work
- Small town scare: Escaped prisoner in town?
- Wisdom from my Mom: Begging? Tell kids what YOU want
- Quick baking tip: too-dark pie crust blanket
- Preserving family memories: our rock jars
- Problem solving: the case of the spilled milk
- Small-town 4th of July
- Co-schooling: We can help educate our kids
- Wisdom from my Mom: teach it all by age 15
- Bossy or sassy? Let's have a do-over and rephrase
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- Food allergies: be diligent! He almost had egg!
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Smart kid. Only need to be told/shown how to do something once. Guess you're doing a great job at your one shot at parenting. :)
ReplyDeleteWell, there are some things that need repeated instruction, LOL :) As parents, we can only do our best and pray a whole lot.
DeleteThat's awesome! Kids are capable of way more than adults think, and I forget that sometimes.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a smart little boy. I also have a 7 year old son. I love the independence & innocence, yet still loving to snuggle & need "mommy".
ReplyDeleteTamara, yes it is a transition age, isn't it. Still wanting partly to be a little kid but other times wanting to be grown up.
Delete