I had an eye-opening moment recently while I was preparing lunch for my children. It dawned on me that, despite my kids being 11 and 13 years old, I still treat them in several ways that are reminiscent of toddlerhood. Admittedly, transitioning from the early years to this stage has been challenging for me, as I often feel like I’m still in that mindset. However, you would think I would be ready to let go and allow them some independence. Apparently, that’s not the case because…
- I still peel their oranges for them. Really?
- I find myself pouring their milk, even though I question why a tween still drinks it.
- I start the shower for my son just to warm up the water. Seriously?
- I can’t help but sniff them as they walk by to ensure they don’t have an odor. That’s a bit excessive.
- When they get a scratch, I turn into a cooing parent instead of encouraging them to grab a band-aid themselves.
- I serve my son his meals. I mean, that’s something I might do for a pet, not a ten-year-old.
Today, however, marks a change. I proudly included unpeeled oranges in their lunches. Baby steps toward their independence, right?
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In summary, as parents, we often find ourselves holding onto habits from our children’s younger years, even as they grow into more independent individuals. Recognizing these behaviors is the first step toward fostering their self-sufficiency, and embracing changes, even if they are small, can help us adapt to their evolving needs.