So I want Chloe to grow up to be a self sufficient kid – but I sure started late. Like all parents – and especially the first time ones – we tend to hover and over protect our babies and seriously, that is quite normal because we loved our kids and we don’t know any better. As for me – there was no one to teach me – for my own upbringing was entirely different. But one thing I’m very proud of Chloe is – she learned to clean after herself (toys) when she was very young. She can mess up the entire room – but when it is time to clean up – she does a great job!
But the dressing up, bathing, picking her own clothing and pouring her own drinks – all these came only at a later stage – and I’m not ashamed to say that it’s completely my doing because I’m the helicopter mom. But for moms-to-be or the new moms out there – children are a lot more resilient and a lot smarter than we give them credit for and they are capable of doing a lot more than we think they can.
So I keep reminding myself – all the time – to help Chloe grow into a self-sufficient kid – so that she will develop her self-identity and to learn that she is a competent lil’ girl and worthy of her friends and anyone around her.