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Teaching Independence

This weekend our children each had the flu for the second time this season. Interestingly, it seemed to follow the same sequence as it did the first time around. Thankfully, Chris was here this time to lend a hand vs. going it alone as I did last time. Mya's sickness began on Friday night into Saturday and Claire woke up Sunday morning with the yucky tummy. It has been a pretty low key weekend. Claire and I are home hanging out today, which brings me to this post. Our girls are great kiddos. They are pretty good listeners, kind to others, creative, and pretty smart; however, they rarely play independently. They LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to play games, read books, and snuggle WITH US! Their desire for us to direct their lives every minute of every day is both a blessing and a curse. Take my  last stay home day with Claire. It was filled with activity after activity of "homework." No lie. She is an eager learner, but part of me thinks she didn't know what else to do with herself. As a result, Chris and I have been working to teach them to play independently, simply so we have a chance to relax too. I have seen little bits of progress along the way. Here is my latest evidence. Look at the fun you can have with tape, a baggie, scissors and a highlighter! This lasted for 30 minutes or so. Yippee!

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Jessica said…
That is a weird combination...perhaps a coloring book and crayons next time. ha ha. The girls are getting so big I am SO EXCITED to see them! The summer can't come soon enough! PS..The kindle is fantastic--you need one!

Love ya, Jessica
May 3, 2011 at 6:48 AM
Kara said…
I looked at them last night. Sadly, my list of "I wants" is rather long, but Mother's Day is coming ;) oh--and my birthday!!
May 3, 2011 at 10:07 AM
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