| When it comes to our children we do need to | | | | especially if I don't berate her and continue |
| be the ones in control. We are responsible | | | | to let her help me. I have found that with |
| for their safety and well being of course. | | | | practice she is getting better at neatly |
| But we are also the ones that need to teach | | | | adding ingredients and stirring. |
| them independence, good decision making | | | | |
| skills, and build their self esteem at the | | | | Basically what I am saying is you cannot |
| same time. Learn to pick your battles and | | | | expect perfection from your children. It |
| your whole family will run smoother and | | | | just isn't going to happen. They need to |
| everyone will be much happier. | | | | practice the skills you are teaching them and |
| | | | sometimes they will make mistakes. Don't get |
| First off does it really matter if your child | | | | me wrong if they are being naughty then by |
| wears red striped pants with a blue polka | | | | all means take control and dish out the |
| dotted shirt? If we are going to church or | | | | appropriate discipline, but if they are |
| somewhere special then yes I would prefer | | | | making mistakes because they are trying to |
| that my daughter at least somewhat match, but | | | | learn then a little encouragement and |
| if we are at home or just running to the | | | | patience will go a long way. |
| store I let her pick her own clothes as long | | | | |
| as they are weather appropriate. Yes I get | | | | We also all want to teach our children to be |
| some funny looks but I will have my revenge | | | | independent and sometimes they are going to |
| later because I of course take pictures of | | | | show their independence a little too strongly |
| all the colorful clothing combinations she | | | | for our tastes. That is when you need to |
| has chosen and will be able to tease her | | | | make the decision is this a battle I need to |
| about them later. My mom did the same thing | | | | control or is it just not a big deal? |
| with me, she has this wonderful picture of me | | | | |
| with orange and pink flowered pants and a | | | | After all just because you are the parent and |
| green and blue striped shirt. | | | | in control does not mean you have to "win" |
| | | | each time you and your child disagree. |
| Does it really matter if every corner of her | | | | |
| room is picked up each and every day? I say | | | | Remember the parenting skills you are using |
| no, she has an area where she does her | | | | now are the ones your children will probably |
| "projects" and I personally see no reason why | | | | use when they raise your grandchildren. You |
| that can't be a little messy at times. But | | | | might also want to keep in mind that someday |
| we do have a hard and fast rule that once a | | | | when you are older the roles may get reversed |
| week the room is totally cleaned and any toys | | | | and your children will be the ones "in |
| or books must be picked up from other areas | | | | control" of you. |
| of the house before bed. She wins and I win. | | | | |
| | | | Robin Reckard, co-founder of Lifestyle |
| When it comes down to doing an arts and | | | | Magazine keeps busy producing, writing, |
| crafts project you need to be prepared to | | | | and editing for the magazine as well as |
| throw out the directions sometimes. If their | | | | raising and enjoying her six year old |
| imagination takes them to a different place | | | | daughter. |
| than the directions then so what. Most of | | | | |
| the time you are doing arts and crafts for | | | | Visit Jorbins Baby and Parenting section to |
| them to have fun anyway, so why stifle them | | | | read more great child development and |
| and make it less fun. My daughter wanted to | | | | parenting articles. |
| do a scrapbook so I got all the necessary | | | | |
| stuff and as it turns out she really just | | | | Copyright 2006, Jorbins Inc. - Reprints of |
| wanted to make a book of her different | | | | this article can be made as long as the |
| "creations" using glue, markers, glitter, and | | | | article is in it's entirety, unchanged, and |
| other craft supplies. So what, I put up the | | | | the resource box with links and urls remain |
| photographs and she had a great time and I | | | | unchanged. |
| had a blast watching and helping her when | | | | |
| asked. | | | | This article is free for republishing |
| | | | |
| My daughter likes to help me bake cakes, her | | | | Source: |
| favorite part is stirring the batter. | | | | |
| Sometimes a little slops over but oh well, | | | | Occupation: Co-owner of Jorbins. |
| she will eventually get better at it | | | | |