As a parent, I know that part of my job is to allow my children to fail. But I have a confession - I suck at this! I find it is easier to do it myself or "help" them do the assigned task. Tonight, I was helping Jack with his poster board, which is part of a history assignment. I made a mental note "Let him do this himself, DO NOT take over!". But I found myself, cringing with every "mistake" and misstep. I slowly began suggesting layout, critiquing content, and judging form. I suggested this and that. Finally, I decided to walk away. I gave him my last two very valuable cents, pushed in my chair, and went to the kitchen. One part of me, wants to get hold of that poster and do it myself while he sleeps. The other part screams at me to allow him to do it himself -mistakes and all. I don't remember my parents doing this to me. I remember having my own vision and then doing it myself. So where did I get this need to control my children's actions? Is this a normal part of parenthood? Or should I just blame it on my first born birth order? Whichever it may be, I must overcome it.
So, tomorrow when my oldest sits down to finish his project, I promise to walk away and only provide input when asked. Right after I instruct him on how to back the pictures with colored construction paper to make them "pop" on the stark white poster board.......
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