Can your preschooler unload the dishwasher? Can your 3rd grader walk the dog on her own? Can your middle schooler remember his sports gear before every practice? Or, maybe a better question: Can ours?
Join Meagan and Sarah in Episode 108 of The Mom Hour for an honest look at how competent our kids are at completing household tasks and being independent out in the world. We confess that it’s so often easier for mom to do everything herself, and offer ideas for increasing your kids’ competence and independence as they grow.
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Listeners of The Mom Hour can get a Kind Snacks variety pack delivered to your door for just $10 (shipping is free!)–that’s a $30+ value! Sarah had to share her Dark Chocolate Chunk Healthy Grains bar with a certain four-year-old and is still dreaming about her next one.
To get your variety pack, head to kindsnacks.com/themomhour. When you order, you’ll also get to try KIND’s Snack Club, where you’ll receive monthly snacks at a discount – starting with $10 off your first Snack Club order.
Also Thanks To…
BarkBox delivers natural treats and fun toys to your doorstep every month, keeping your dog entertained and you from forgetting to hit up the pet aisle! Meagan’s Moxie and Sarah’s Xander both loved their BarkBox goodies and we think your pups will too.
Podcast listeners can get one month FREE when you visit barkbox.com/momhour and sign up for a 6- or 12-month subscription.
Links we mentioned (or should have!) in Episode 108:
- The Gift of Failure, by Jessica Lahey
- Chores and Delegation (Episode 15 where we talked about kids and chores)
- Delegate Like Downton: A Strategy For Managing Home Helpers (Meagan for The Happiest Home)
- Katie’s kimono (this one is sold out but there are others like it–great options from Target)
Our challenge to you!
What’s one thing you’d like your kids to start doing this summer? Tell us in the comments, or post about it on social media by tagging @TheMomHour and using the hashtag #TheMomHour. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Here are a couple of things I didn’t start letting my kids for quite a while after I should have: ordering their own food in restaurants, unlocking the front door. It was always easier and faster to do these things for them, but they’re ideal baby steps for independence!