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1:00 AM
mateng
With all this talk about the things my kids do around the house, I'm thinking about the amount of time Rory and I have put into teaching them to do these things. I don't want to mislead you into thinking it has been "a walk in the park" !
I think that we, as parents, often underestimate the abilities of our children. I know I have. But, I tend to live a lot of my parenting life letting them try. Encouraging them to try. Not expecting them to accomplish at adult standards.
Jono's bed looks like a six year old made it. Because a six year old did. I do not go along behind him and fix it up. How discouraging for him ! I praise his efforts. Let me tell you, his six year old bed making skills are a whole lot better than his three year old bed making skills were !
Alia's clothes look like a five year old folded them. Because a five year old did. I do not expect her to be able to fold them like I do. I have taught her the method, she follows it and does a good job.
I have spent time teaching and training and showing and working alongside my children. I continue to work along side them. I am not sitting watching TV while they 'keep house' ! We are working together. Sharing the responsibility that comes with being part of a family.
My children have plenty of time to be children. As I type this, I'm listening to them outside playing with the neighbor kids. Riding bikes and enjoying the days as they lengthen coming into summer. They watch tv. They play computer games. They color and read and do puzzles. They spend time playing in their own rooms. They love a swim and a day at the beach. We bush walk together as a family. And play games.
Their lives have a healthy balance, and that is what I think is important. Too far to either side and it wouldn't be healthy. Finding the balance ... well, that's the job of the parent !
I think that we, as parents, often underestimate the abilities of our children. I know I have. But, I tend to live a lot of my parenting life letting them try. Encouraging them to try. Not expecting them to accomplish at adult standards.
Jono's bed looks like a six year old made it. Because a six year old did. I do not go along behind him and fix it up. How discouraging for him ! I praise his efforts. Let me tell you, his six year old bed making skills are a whole lot better than his three year old bed making skills were !
Alia's clothes look like a five year old folded them. Because a five year old did. I do not expect her to be able to fold them like I do. I have taught her the method, she follows it and does a good job.
I have spent time teaching and training and showing and working alongside my children. I continue to work along side them. I am not sitting watching TV while they 'keep house' ! We are working together. Sharing the responsibility that comes with being part of a family.
My children have plenty of time to be children. As I type this, I'm listening to them outside playing with the neighbor kids. Riding bikes and enjoying the days as they lengthen coming into summer. They watch tv. They play computer games. They color and read and do puzzles. They spend time playing in their own rooms. They love a swim and a day at the beach. We bush walk together as a family. And play games.
Their lives have a healthy balance, and that is what I think is important. Too far to either side and it wouldn't be healthy. Finding the balance ... well, that's the job of the parent !
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