As parents, we often don't see that we tend to shelter our children. Our intentions are well meant, but they learn about life so much more when they do for themselves. The old saying "Live and learn" couldn't be truer. It's like training for a new job; if you're training hands on you learn the tasks put before you, if you sit back and watch someone else, you aren't really learning much. The same goes for children; if we do for them, they don't learn to do for themselves. A feeling of responsibility is such a boost to ones self-asteem, and this can be incorporated into the daily things we take for granted. Where does one start? How about first thing in the morning!
A good diet is essential for them to make it through a long day at school. Let them feel responsible by preparing their meals the night before. For breakfast; if they like cereal and fruit, have them pour their cereal in a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap to keep until morning. They can choose the fruit they want and have it ready and waiting next to their cereal bowl. If they prefer a hot breakfast, they can decide what they want the night before and get it set aside for morning.
How many times has your child come home from school with an untouched lunch bag in hand? When asked why, the response is usually "Because I didn't like what was made for lunch!" Fair enough. I wouldn't want to eat something I didn't like everyday either, but I certainly do know that if I don't eat all day, it's going to be a miserable one! The solution - have them pack their own meal. This can be done the night before also. Let them make what kind of sandwich they like, pick which fruit and snack they want. It will be in the bag and ready to go when they leave for school the next morning. An added bonus to this is that it will tremendously cut down on the "getting ready for school rush" in the morning!
