**This is a guest post from Aleta of Hinterland Mama**
You know your children are growing up, when…
They are visibly capable and independent!
And I, as a Mama and primary caregiver, take absolute pride in that.
I know many people didn’t agree with my supervised, almost 2 year old playing with my pin cushion while I was sewing.
But if my eldest – Mr Turtle – pricked his finger (I think he only did it once or twice), he learnt quickly not to!
And now, he and his brother, confidently sew for themselves and gifts for their friends.
Little Pipkin turned age 4 and Mr Turtle, age 5 this April.
I love that they are able to accomplish, Oh so many things!
I have always encouraged my boys to help out in the kitchen.
Last year, we gave them their own knives, as an Easter gift.
In 2010, when helping me to build the shelves for my craft room,
I was quite impressed with their dexterity at the time.
When Little Pipkin was 3, peeling vegetables was one of his favourite past-times.
He never really was interested in ordinary toys.
I feel, in many situations, children know their own limits. They set their own boundaries.
I encourage, but never push them.
My boys have always climbed trees, rocks (& various other things).
Have been permitted to challenge their abilities and experiment a little.
Have jumped in at the deep end, before they could swim.
Used scissors, pins, needles and knives from an early age.
We’ve had accidents (yes that’s a cast on Little Pip’s arm), but we’ve had mostly successes.
You should see the smiles on their faces when they accomplish whatever they set out to do!
We have rules.
I always supervise.
We don’t do anything (that I deem) extreme.
I believe my amazingly confident, social and capable little guys are somewhat themselves as a result of these challenges.
I am very proud of my ‘Big Boys’ and can’t wait to see what’s next!
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Wondering what skills your child might be ready to try? Check out this Giant List of Self-Care Skills for Children!
How do you encourage your child to develop skills and practice independence?
You can find Aleta at Hinterland Mama where she shares many of the things she finds ‘delectable, creative, natural and nourishing’, to daily life. At the blog you’ll find tutorials, links, recipes, inspiration and ideas to hopefully help you nourish & nurture yourself and your own family.
Ariadne Brill
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