The Heartbeat of Every Parent's Journey and [a life skills checklist ]
I've often jokingly called myself a 'forever student.' But when my son Nicolas asked me how rainbows appear in the sky for the umpteenth time, I realized this was an entirely different syllabus. Suddenly, it wasn't just about my learning but fostering his. And in today's fast-paced, digital world, holding onto that parent-child bond sometimes feels like trying to keep a handful of sand from slipping through my fingers.
One summer evening, after a challenging day of work and parenting, I found solace in an unexpected place: a parent-child class at a local Waldorf school. As my son, then 1.5 years old, and I painted together his tiny hand in mine, I was struck by a truth. It wasn’t about where he learned, whether at home or in school, but how present I was in those moments with him. This realization wasn't a one-off lesson. It became my guiding star.
Every moment - assisting with his homework, watching him set the table, or laughing at his playful antics with my spices – became special. They weren’t just ‘mom moments’, they were ‘our moments’.
When he began kindergarten in a real brick and mortar building, I worried where I fit into the equation. I knew our relationship would change, but how? But then he shared his newfound knowledge about rainbows, reminding me about our time in the Waldorf classroom. It wasn’t about the hours we spent but the quality of our time together.
The lesson? Children don’t need perfection. They need presence. Why is this so hard to put into practice?
Whether you homeschool, juggle work and motherhood, or some combination in between, being hands-on in your child's education journey changes everything. It’s not just about grades; it’s about igniting their love for discovery.
One way I’ve found to apply this is allowing my sons to handle simple tasks at home. In this busy world, it's easy to step in and do things for them. They’re not always going to get it right. Yet, inspired by the wisdom of not doing what a child can do for himself, I've learned to step back. Letting them handle tasks not only makes them proud but gears them to be self-reliant adults.
Every family's journey is unique, yet one thing binds us: being actively there for our children. It’s what builds their tomorrow.
Taking inspiration from a Utah mom’s “how to be a person” camp, I've introduced a “Life Skills” checklist for my boys this school year. It's heartwarming to see them stock up bathrooms with toilet paper, work together to learn how to use a can opener, or clean their bikes after a day’s muddy adventures. As Mary Poppins says, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and snap! The job’s a game!”
In the journey of parenthood, it's vital to remember the power of being present and nurturing our children's unique paths. By stepping back and allowing them to explore, make mistakes, and discover, we give them the confidence and independence they need for life. As we cherish these moments, we witness the beautiful transformation of our children blossoming into their best selves right before our eyes.
I make one for each child according to their age, level of skill, and interests.
When we have a moment to work on a skill, I demonstrate, then allow them to try with me, eventually they are able to do it alone. Building confidence along the way.
