independence

Wow have my kids got independence in spades! I would like to think
that I am somewhat responsible for this but I have feeling I am just
responsible for the stubborn gene that maybe led to the independence.

This week my son has decided that he would suddenly like to start
wearing dress shirts to school. This is my tee-shirt and exercise
pants wearing kid. He has worn button down dress shirts with jeans the
past two days. When I asked him this morning if he wanted me to buy
more he said "No. Well maybe just like ten of them."

My son has suddenly decided to be his own stylist in the way of
clothes and hair. He has been growing his hair out since this summer
he and the neighborhood boys formed a "band" in our garage. This is a
testament of my patience because it looks really scraggly and sticks
up in the back and I have to let it go. He sometimes doesn't remember
that now that it is getting longer he actually needs to comb it.

My youngest is also struggling with independence. She wants to do
everything now. Take off her own diaper, hold her own hand when
crossing the street, and putting on her own shoes (usually on the
wrong foot.) She gets frustrated when she can't do something or when I
won't allow her to do something on her own. It is amazing to see her
growth and her determination.

I think that is one of the greatest joys of motherhood. Seeing that
your children are growing, making their own choices, and determining
their own paths. Sometimes it is heartbreaking to realize that they
don't "need" you as much as you would like. But other times it is
awesome to realize that you have done your job so well that they don't
need you to help them as much or make all of their decisions for them.
Independence is what you strive for your child to have. Remember to
give them the tools to succeed in this lifelong endeavor!