19/8/13.
Do you stop your child because they might hurt them self?
Do you do things for your child because IT'S quicker?
Learning happens from taking risks, making mistakes, making a mess and getting it wrong.
My son on Sunday morning made his own breakfast. He chose a mixture of Weetbix and Sustain, not to my liking but I let him go as I was not eating it. He poured the milk in. He chose a measuring spoon from the draw, “I am using this one” he declared, “OK” I responded. I thought to myself “well that won’t work”, but I let him go. He scooped on the sugar, only using one teaspoon measure, using the spoon he had chosen. Then he was ready to eat. He tried to chop the weetbix with his spoon, “This spoon does not chop too good Mum, where does it go”. Flynn bought me the spoon as I was packing the dishwasher. I pointed to where the cutlery went, he put it in and chose another spoon from the draw. I finished packing the dishwasher and he ate his breakfast.
I could have put the cereal in the bowl, then I would not need to sweep up the bits he spilt. I could have poured the milk but he has done this many times and will ask for help if it is a new bottle. I could have put the sugar on but he has worked out that it does not taste real good with a quarter of a cup of sugar on it. I could have swapped his spoon, then there would have been one less spoon in the dishwasher. But now he knows that a measuring spoon will not chop his Weetbix.
Ask yourself; how many things do you do for your child, that you know they can do them self?
Helicopter parenting behaviours were linked to higher levels of depression, decreased satisfaction with life and lower levels of perceived autonomy, competence, and ability to get along with people.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2278596/Children-controlling-helicopter-parents-likely-depressed.html#ixzz2cNuauUJc