Often times we ask kids to do something and assume it is easy for them because it is second nature for us. Remember that kids usually need to be taught to do things well. There will also need a lot of repetition before they might be able to do it by themselves. We might want to say, “Go put your clothes I’ve folded away.” Obvious to us how to do that, right? However, you go up, and you’ll find the clothes no longer folded and not in the right place. They’ll need to be taught how to transfer clothes from the basket to their drawers without them all falling apart. This will take direct instruction, practice and patience on your part. They won’t do it perfectly the first time. They may not think it through the next time. You’ll have to participate and lower your expectations. You’ll have to guide them exactly how you have their clothes organized – what goes where. You need to have systems and organization in place to make it happen. This simple tip (take time to teach) applies to everything – from cleaning to education to eating properly to using a bathroom. Never just assume they understand how to do things properly. After all, they are being exposed to new concepts and experiences constantly. Their world is flooded with intake. Just make sure you are really patiently taking the time. Often time it feels easier to just do it ourselves, but that does not benefit your child either. They do need to learn, and the younger they teach them to do things the more overall confidence they’ll gain.
I’ve learned a lot about this over the summer. Often times when I am disappointed in the way my kids treat each other it is hard to step back and realize they truly may not have been able to come up with a better solution. I think many of the times that I feel they are not listening are times when they are just not executing at the level I expect.
Great tip today Jodi! Love it… such a good reminder.
Mackenzie
No kidding! This is why parenting is exhausting at times. I find myself explaining and demonstrating all day long. Even how to hold a spoon to stir can turn into 5 minutes when it would have taken me 20 seconds to do it myself. Thanks for the encouragement to keep doing it. (popping in from WFMW)