Independent Kids

I think its a pretty common feeling parents have in that they sometimes wish their kids were more independent or find that they can't wait until they get a bit older and can do more things for themselves.  I'm in this camp too, however lately I found myself not even realizing that in some cases I am already there.  But I'm still not enjoying it!  My son will be four in January and he can put on his own shoes, mostly dress and undress himself, etc.  I remember thinking when he was a toddler that I couldn't wait until he was able to do some of those things himself.  And now he can and I find myself not letting him!

That doesn't make sense now does it?  No, it doesn't.  The commodity of time is stealing my ability to enjoy his independence.  As mentioned above, can he dress himself?  Yes.  Does it take him way longer to get it done than if I did it for him?  Absolutely, yes.  And so when we are in a hurry to get out the door, I still sometimes do it for him.  I really want to stop!  I think it takes away from his feelings of accomplishment.  It definitely doesn't help him get any faster at it by reducing the amount of times he gets to practice.  And I don't even think it really makes us get out the door that much faster.

Like many things parenting related, it requires patience.  I find that when life gets increasingly busy, you can rush by simple things that are actually pretty important.  I have watched my four year old go from learning to hold up his head, to figuring out how to put his pants on the right way and of course so many other milestones and accomplishments along the way.  I think he and I both deserve a pat on the back for making it this far and I'm really going to try and stop getting in his way and let him be the independent kid he is and that I was longing for in those baby and toddler days.