Reply to "My child is so mature and so independant for her age..."

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Reply to ""My child is so mature and so independant for her age...""

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][Quote]
wow, you are really misguided. Yes, its great when a little kids says "I did it!" but you should want them to say that in relation to do things that are appropriate for their age like completeing a hard puzzle or reading their first book or throwing a good pitch.  Those are the things to do to build confidence and self-esteem with young kids.  [/quote]

I don't think it's misguided at all.  There's a lot of research that shows kids build self-esteem and connectivity with caregivers better when they are mastering "real" tasks.  Sometimes that is play, but kids are very interested in what adults are doing amd including them in those tasks is a great way to bond and a great self-esteem exercise.

For those who object to kids being "forced" to do "adult" things (and my kids love helping around the house because they like being included in the lives of the grownups) at what age is it magically age-appropriate for kids to learn to wash dishes instead of play with a water table?  Or prepare real food instead of play with a tea set?  I really don't see how it's great parenting to sit and teach my child how to braid Barbie's hair but I'm robbing them of childhood if I teach them how to brush their own hair.  As long as the child is having fun, I don't see the harm in letting my kids master skills that will actually be useful.  At what age are kids allowed to be productive human beings?[/quote]

I agree with you and 3 is not too young to do things like you have described.  She didn't say she told the 3 year old, get the recycling bag, tie it up, put on your shoes and take it out to the curb.  I'm betting what she does might include having her 3 year old "help" take out the bag and "help" tie it up and "help" carry it out.  It would probably be faster for her to do it herself but I'm guessing she is probably trying to teach her child that every person in the family has to help out.

As someone said there is middle ground that is usually the best place to be.  Unfortunately, myself included, we don't always hit perfection.  Yes I want my children to have time to be children, but if you wait until they are 15, 16, 17, 18 to teach them responsibility they most likely won't get it.  Why should they, they had parents who always did it for them.

Reading this thread has made me rethink some of the ways I have had my oldest help me with our youngest.  A reminder to me that I need to go a little for the middle ground with him and his little brother.  [/quote]

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