Your Parenting Matters

I was talking with a young mother today and I commented on her year old daughter’s new teeth. The mother responded by saying a few more were just about ready to come out. Then she made the comment that her daughter wanted to feed herself but made a mess and didn’t get enough food, so she was overriding her daughter’s new found skill. It reminded me of how easy it is to discourage children when they are learning because it is messy or parents are concerned about other issues. This little one was ready and interested in feeding herself. I suggested she get a sheet of plastic to go up the wall and under the high chair and let her daughter give it go! When children aren’t allowed to work on their new skills when they are interested, parents may find when they think it is the right time, the moment has passed.