Over our winter break I noticed something that’s a little bit of awesome….our boys are becoming more independent. There’s a whole other scary side to that, of course, but for now, I’m focusing on the awesome that is their independence.
Rather than relying solely on me or Hubz for assistance with a toy, or help getting a cup of water, they asked each other. I love that my nine-year-old can get into the cupboard, get cups for himself and his brothers, and fill them up. I love that after asking me for a fruit snack, Tate can go to the pantry and get it for himself. I love that Cole is potty-trained and uses the toilet without me having to clean him up after every visit. (I wish he would put his pants back on, but well, we’ll take things one at a time.)
The boys were also relying on each other for entertainment. They chased. They played with Legos…oh, did they play with Legos. They read books to each other (mostly Jake reading to Cole). They acted silly together, bantering and swapping silly phrases. There was a ton of potty talk, but it was completely age appropriate. If one of the younger two boys wanted to watch a tv show or DVD, Jake was able to help out and get it started.
The other part of the day where this awesome independence was much appreciated was early in the morning. Even though we were on break, our boys still were up by 6 am every.single.day. Yes. Every. One. However, upon waking, they were able to use the bathroom, brush their teeth, and get a tv show on the tv without needing Hubz or me to do it for them. A few of the days, Jake even got himself something to eat and drink. He hooked Cole up with a little juice box occasionally, as well.
Another big milestone is that Tate seems to be getting dressed by himself more often. He is putting his socks and shoes on, as well. I really had a sinking feeling that I was going to be helping with those until he was 16. Shew!!! Cole is also attempting to dress himself. He isn’t always successful, but he’s leaps and bounds beyond where his brothers were at that age. (Some of that was my doing with Jake…)
With the delays that the older two boys have had developmentally, it felt like this stage was never going to get here…so I am basking in the glorious feeling it is giving me. I am still busy, and they still need me for plenty of various reasons…but for some of the basics…and for some of the age appropriate tasks, they have moved to a state of independence. And I love it.
Comments on: "A little bit of awesome" (10)
Yes yes and yes. I know what you mean totally. It IS awesome!
Me too. I was excited that Philip is finally taking off his own socks. Hurray for your boys!
Thank you! I remember when we were excited about Tate doing that, too. It took until about age 4 for him to do it appropriately. Hope the progress keeps coming for Philip!
Thank you, Deenie!!
A LOT bit of awesome! Yes!
Thanks, Alysia!
That’s the best feeling! I’m happy (and blown away actually) when Toots just zips his own jacket! This is all kinds of awesome! And yes, toilet first – pants later – well, at least at home!
Oh yes…this week the pants have been on a little more…whew!
I wish we could get Tate to start the zipper…that is a point of frustration for us right now…especially with winter coats!
WOW! This is huge! (And inspiring for someone who is still fighting the good fight with self-dressing). You know what else is awesome? That you can already see your boys are going to take care of each other! If it’s coming in this early, things are going to be a lot less bumpy on the road ahead. Kudos on you for some great parenting!
Thanks, Karla! I don’t know how much of it is great parenting…or constant reinforcement!
But it’s coming together…and I know that they’ll be there for each other, which, like you said, is just awesome!