Lazy or helpless? Most likely a bit of both.

My kids are helpless lately.

• I can't find the string cheese.
• I can't open this.
• I can't get my jacket unzipped.
• I can't unlock the door.
• Can you carry that for me, I'm already carrying one thing?
• Can you open my car door for me?
• I can't turn the shower on.
• Can you get clothes out of for me?
• I can't get myself a glass of juice.
• I don't know what to play, tell me what to play.
• I can't find that.
• I can't tie my shoes.
• I can't carry the dogfood to the bowl it's too heavy.
• Can you turn the TV on for me?

I can't, will you?  Puhhhlllleeeeeeeeeeeease?

These are the same kids that I have seen scale the pantry to reach a piece of candy.  The same kids who have managed to get their own bowls out, get out the ice cream, scoop it, put the ice cream away and then eat the ice cream.  These same kids?  They can climb trees, bounce in the trampoline, swim, ride bikes, ride scooters and generally cause mayhem.

But the day to day stuff.  Whine whine whine, 'I can't do it, help me,,,'

SERIOUSLY.  It's making me insane.  I swear I don't coddle them.  I admit that often times I do things for them to make it easier and less messy (i.e. getting out breakfast for them in the morning).  But I don't dress them or brush their teeth or wipe their butts.  Warren is eight and Elaine is almost six for Pete's sake!  I'm almost certain that therapists are not advocates of telling your kids they are helpless, but that's what it has come to around here.  Followed by that capital seriously.  As in, "UGH!  What are you kids now helpless?  Figure it out.  Do it yourself.  SERIOUSLY."

Whatever.  Tack it on to their therapy bill.  Make it a line item right next to 'you will not be a mean girl if I can help it' and 'seriously you have got to suck it up now and quit crying'.  (I've stopped saying that last one, although I have to say I think it sometimes.)

I'm sure that what I'm supposed to say is something positive and encouraging like, "I bet you can get your own clothes out sweetie.  I believe in you.  You're the best!" 

Yeah.  That's just not me.

Comments

[Farrell]

Dude, I too need to do some independence training with my own almost six year old as well. But like you said, it's usually easier and faster to do it myself.
annoying, though.