I have a really hard time letting others do things when I feel like I can do it better / faster / easier myself. I have a hard time with patience. This isn’t something I am proud of, in fact it is something that bothers me about myself.
Lately though, I’ve been trying to take a step back with Finn and let him figure things out. Mostly because I don’t want him living in my basement when he is 35 having his Mama fix his life. I want him to learn the value of perseverance and to tackle new things.
I want to learn to teach rather than to do.
The Scooby Doo Tag Reader game that he can’t conquer? Sorry buddy, you have to go faster to free Scooby from the castle. And when he finally did it? The sense of his awesomeness BEAMED from his face.
I want to see that look on his face every day.
I told him that he could make his own afternoon snack. I got out the knife. He grabbed the peanut butter. I reached for the crackers. He climbed up on the bar stool. And then, I let him have at it.
It was a sticky peanut buttery mess, but he loved every minute of it.
Love this! I am the EXACT same way!!
ReplyDeleteI try very hard to be patient - but good God it can be hard. I am pretty sure if I make it through elementary school with my kids it will be a miracle. Letter & number recognition, writing, etc. will be the death of me at this point. If you name has 3 A's and 2 N's - how is it you know the first one and not the rest?!?! This is why I chose the medical field and not the education field. :o)
ReplyDeleteGood luck... Finn is a smart boy with a great teacher!!! I highly doubt he will be living in your basement at 25 let alone 35. He is going to go far in the world....
I need to let my children do this more. I am ususally worried about the mess I am going to have to clean up.
ReplyDeleteOh Michelle, I hear you. This is probably one of the hardest parts of parenting for me! Even now that mine is a teenager. But it IS so great when they conquer it for themselves!
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing. Mostly with my husband. It drives me nuts when he doesn't do things the way that I would.
ReplyDeleteBTW- Love the photos!
You're so right. It's hard to supervise when I can knock it out quickly, but I do need to get her doing more on her own. Thanks for the reminder :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to just let them do it when you can knock it out in half the time and none of the mess. This not only pertains to the kids, but the husband as well. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's one thing I've always wondered about being a mom, not being one myself. When do you let them do their own thing and see if they'll succeed?
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