Apr 15 2009
Let Me Do It Myself
I should have known the day would come when my daughters would assert their independence. In some ways it’s a good thing. Other days it really just slows us down.
All four of them want to help with the dressing/undressing process. I don’t have a problem with that. They’re old enough to be involved in their personal care. Yet some days I want to pull my hair out. This morning Sue-Sue insisted on doing everything herself, but she put her shirt on over her nightgown. Cakes put her socks on, but then became upset when she realized they were inside out.
Most of the time I humor them. You want to put your coat on without any help from me? Even though we needed to leave five minutes ago for preschool? Fine, but I know I’ll end up helping when the coat ends up backwards or upside down. However, some times I have to draw the line. When we took a walk the other day the girls wanted to cross the street to look at someone’s Easter decorations. OK. No one wanted to hold hands while crossing the street. Not OK. I explained to them why we had to hold hands (to be safe) and they all agreed to do it.
It’s bittersweet watching my daughters become independent little girls. I’m glad they’re learning to do more things for themselves. But where did my little babies go????
- Let me introduce myself and my issues…
- Would you like me to do it now? Or would you like a few moments to compose an epitaph?
- “But that’s not the way MOM used to do it”- A dedication to all of HIS moms on Mother’s Day and all the joy they have brought women across the nation.
- allow me to introduce myself.
- Traffic Swarm - Do It!
9 Responses to “Let Me Do It Myself”
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Thats a good thing, it lighten up your job. Girls really mature early than boys huh. They learn to be independent and and eager to learn a lot of stuff. Enjoy and cherish each moment with them for they grow up so fast.
It does, for the most part, make things a lot easier around here.
My son is five and still would prefer we do everything for him. He’ll do some of it, now, but he’ll milk it. My one-year-old is already demanding more independence.
*Sigh* She’s my last baby.
It’s a healthy sign, that independence, but it’s often more work, more trouble as they take it into their heads to do what they want without check with you. And, as teenagers, oy! But they’ll be better adults for it.
But it’s bittersweet when they don’t need you like they used to.
I bet it is bitter sweet to see them grow up…
Oh Maryanne, you should see the outfits they come up with. On school days I pick out what they’re wearing, or at least give them choices from what I’ll let them wear. But if there’s no school… wow. It’s usually dresses with mismatched leggings. I did have to draw the line during the winter when one of my girls wanted to wear her bathing suit.
Stephanie: Picturing them as teenagers is something I just can’t bring myself to do… mainly because I know what a ‘tude I had as a teenager.
Sadia, what a way to follow through! I bet the pediatrician has seen it all.
I chose a few complimentary colors, then followed this system: plain colored pants and skirts, patterned or plain tops. I tried to buy everything matching, down to their socks. Then I’d let them choose what they wanted to wear. I didn’t have to worry about things matching.
Of course, then they wanted to argue on whether they needed a sweater or a coat.
The road to independence can be rocky, but it’s cool to launch an independent person into the world.
Maxie
This is exactly why after bathtime each night, my boys dress in their clothes for the next day. We just don’t have time in the morning for all the getting-dressed drama!