behind our back waiting for them to spill stuff. We expect
them to be able to keep their room tidy the first time. But
they’ve never done it before. They don’t know how to do it.
They have to learn, and part of that learning process is not
doing it, doing it badly, doing it differently from how we, as
adults would do it. Our job is to help them. To hand them
responsibility slowly, bit by bit, but with guidance.
We expect kids to do everything right the first time, no
spillage, no broken eggs, no paint on the floor. It is our expec-
tations that are unrealistic. Growing up is a messy business.
AS THEY GROW,
YOU HAVE TO
BACK OFF MORE AND
LET THEM DO MORE.