The Learning Curve
As the oldest of four children, it sometimes seemed as though my siblings and I were reared by different parents. Their parents were somehow savvier. As if I had broken them in so that they knew what they were doing by the time the other kids arrived on the scene.
As a parent, I realize that I wasn’t so far off the mark with my childish intuition. I am definitely a much more experienced parent to Poppyseed and Peach thanks to the screw-ups with Beernut (Sorry, sweetheart. Your therapist will have lots of material.)
Take breakfast. Someone explain to me why I am still getting cereal for the kids in the morning. I thought it was because the kids weren’t able to pour the milk into the bowl. Until Poppyseed mentioned that she’s been pouring her own juice at snack time since she was in the two year old classroom.
A quick trip to Lakeshore and I am now the proud owner of SIX “Help-Yourself Pitchers.” I put out the bowls of cereal, spoons, cups, and napkins. And I poured milk into one pitcher and juice into another.
Here’s the really cool part. The kids have gotten their own breakfasts the past few mornings. Even Beernut, who doesn’t ever seem motivated to do anything on his own, has taken real pride in this new responsibility.
“I really like how you have been treating me lately, Mom. I’m going to do the exact same thing with my family.”
There is no higher compliment, is there?
Frume Sarah is Shabbos-observant -- in a Reform way, that is. Please note that from Friday afternoons until one hour after sundown on Saturday evenings, Frume Sarah will be unavailable, in observance of the Jewish Sabbath.
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Gotta love Lakeshore!
I love your post, sorry, I prefer hebrew, then I don’t know to write exactly what I want to write in hebrew.
thanks
What a great idea…I think I will try to find these.
When my twins Jacob and Sophie were 9 months old, I was tempted to put permanent braces on my arms to help me hold up their bottles simultaneously.
Then a friend came by with her 9 month old twins, handed them their bottles, and walked away so she could actually go to the bathroom herself.
GENIUS!
Guess what? Within 3 days, Jacob and Sophie were blissfully in charge of their own bottles, and I got to go to the bathroom!
You’re right — sometimes we need a little kick in the tuches (and sometimes cool equipment) to put responsibility in the right hands — literally!
Deborah Grayson Riegel
Head Coach, My Jewish Coach.com
http://www.myjewishcoach.com
http://jewishorganizations.blogspot.com
http://myjewishcoach.blogspot.com
Thanks for reading, you guys!!!
I am happy to report that after almost a week with our no-spill pitchers, the kids are professional pourers! I hate to sound all psycho-babble-ish, but they seem to have taken “real ownership” of their breakfasts and drinks 🙂
Sorry about my grammer,
English isn’t my mother language.
I like your post, maybe I will try it one day…
What a great idea…I think I will try to find these.