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