Eliza is a great little teacher. She can teach Oliver and Silas things in a way that really works for them. Check out this spontaneous shoe-tying lesson she offered yesterday morning (I always mean to pull out my camera when she's doing stuff like this - finally I caught it on film!).
Notice how Silas is quite patiently trying to get in on the action - and how Eliza turns her attention to him once she's got Oliver going. Notice the cute triumphant look on Oliver's face when he ties his first bow. There's nothing like achieving something new! And there's nothing like seeing your kids help each other learn and grow - both parties get so much out of it.
I remember one morning when our twins were about one-and-a-half and my oldest, Ashton, was six years old. The twins were still NOT sleeping through the night (they kept waking each other up and I was so sleep-deprived that it didn't occur to me to have them sleep in separate rooms...) and they were waking up early with messy diapers every morning. Ashton always woke up before the twins (he's my early bird) so he often played with them in their room until it got light and I could drag myself out of bed. I was so grateful for his help!
One morning, Ashton proudly led his little brothers into my bedroom - they were all dressed and ready for the day. And they didn't stink. Ashton announced that he'd changed their diapers and got them dressed. He'd enlisted the help of Isaac (5 years old) who held their feet while Ashton did the wiping and diapering. He was practically bursting with pride. And so was I!
I'd taught Ashton to help with a lot of different things around the house but I'd never really thought about teaching Ashton to do diapers. And I'm not sure if he'd have been game to try it if I'd suggested it. But he'd watched me and he knew what to do.
It can be so easy to jump in there and do most everything for our kids. But they can do so much for each other - especially if we encourage them a bit, then stand back and let them go for it!
Okay Saren I am tempted on video taping our Eldest Emma trying to teach Sera the next oldest how to tie her shoes. She has been wanting to learn. It may be a titch more comical and may have a titch more tense scenes in it. Maybe we will do this for a FHE activity tomorrow night. Who knows maybe the stars will be aligned and all will be willing happy participants. If it turns out well it may be submitted for a video over at Power of Moms.
ReplyDeleteCute Eliza! Great job!
ReplyDeleteGrammie