I have always wondered how my mom survived having 11 children, and staying sane. One of the hardest time of day in our house is dinner time. I feel like everyone needs something, but dinner needs to be started, Baylee is usually hungry, and the drama of getting piano practice done.
With each of these steps my girls have made I had an AHAA moment. It is much easier for me to make dinner, make the brownies, clean it all up the correct way, tie Carly's shoe, hand Baylee the balloon or brush to play with. But when they work so hard to do it, and the tears come from frustration, I always want to step in. But when I have let them do it ALL on their own- the smiles on their faces.... it's priceless. They see the value of their hard work- it paid off. Even in Baylee's face, a little 9 month old is learning the value of hard work! Hopefully I can keep remembering this- I don't like to see my kids struggle with things, I don't like to see them upset, but sometimes that's just life. If I don't let go of some of these things now, they are going to really struggle as they get older.
Lexi has come in the kitchen the past few months and begged to help make dinner. In my frustration I have asked her to go out, sometimes it's just easier to do it by myself. I realized what a mistake that was. Over the last few weeks I have let her help with what ever she wants. She loves to brown the meat, cut any vegetables, and help with the dishes. I also have delegated to Ashlee the care of Baylee. Ashlee will make her bottle and feed her, or Carly will feed Baylee her bottle if Ashlee is doing piano practice. This frees up my hands so I can keep things going in the kitchen. After doing this for a while I have seen how much my kids enjoy cooking and baking, not to mention the extra POSITIVE time I get with them.
Lexi got out a box of brownies and started making them, she then helped Carly and Ashlee understand the instructions and they made them by themselves. I will admit, I freaked out a little watching Lexi and Ashlee put them in the oven and take them out- but they did GREAT! It has taught my girls a little bit of independence, how to read recipe's, and somehow it is less chaotic at dinner time with all my helpers!
Carly is great at entertaining Baylee while I clean up dinner, and their favorite thing to play is peeka boo. How bout those green beans all over Baylee's face- she likes them!
I have no idea what Carly is saluting to....
Carly has been practicing at tying her shoes. I know with Lexi and Ashlee we started teaching them right after they turned 4. I completely forgot about Carly learning how until her 5 year well check, oops! A friend let us borrow THE best book on tying shoes- and Carly practiced her little heart out until she was able to do it. She was so excited! I was getting Baylee in her car seat and Carly needed her shoes tied, so I told her to do it herself. In our house the phrase, "I can't" is a bad word- I don't like to hear them say it. Carly was struggling and getting so frustrated, but finally did it!
Baylee is working hard on crawling and has masted quite the bunny hop crawl. She gets on all fours and hops forward, then does this stretch that looks like she is sliding into home base- she's trying to reach her toy or what ever she is after. If she hasn't gotten far enough she does the process all over, and will roll if she needs to.
With each of these steps my girls have made I had an AHAA moment. It is much easier for me to make dinner, make the brownies, clean it all up the correct way, tie Carly's shoe, hand Baylee the balloon or brush to play with. But when they work so hard to do it, and the tears come from frustration, I always want to step in. But when I have let them do it ALL on their own- the smiles on their faces.... it's priceless. They see the value of their hard work- it paid off. Even in Baylee's face, a little 9 month old is learning the value of hard work! Hopefully I can keep remembering this- I don't like to see my kids struggle with things, I don't like to see them upset, but sometimes that's just life. If I don't let go of some of these things now, they are going to really struggle as they get older.
8 comments:
This is such a great reminder. I still find myself doing things for my girls instead of letting them learn to do it on their own. I appreciate your example.
Thats awesome that they are helping. Sometimes it is hard to LET them help tho...so I know how that goes. They are so cute. I love the bunny hop!!
So good to remember! You are so brave to let them put the pan in the oven! But like you said it's good for them, AND I bet they will look back on it and LOVE it!
So smart! I have heard alot lately that kids can do more and that I need to do LESS. So thank you for the reminder. I'm going to use that more in our house!
Thanks for the reminder. Sometimes I forget that my kids are really old enough to do things themselves. Sometimes I expect too much, and most of the time not enough. You are a great example!
I have been thinking about this too! My two youngest are constantly wishing and requesting to help in the kitchen, which is SOOOOOO hard for me to let them do! I have been thinking lately that I need to just include them and every time I do, I don't regret it. Thank you for being a good example, and then writing about it. If you hadn't, I wouldn't feel closer to you! We have such similar trials, as mothers, don't we?
Taylor asks all the time to help with dinner and I've felt the same - just send them out of the kitchen so I can do it myself. I'm working on letting them help more in the kitchen as well!!
Good job Alissa!! Thanks for sharing. It's not fun, actually it's pretty draining to listen to whining, but when our kids learn that we're not going to do everything for them and they get a taste of accomplishment, then they don't whine so much and their independence takes off!
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