https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:33:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doing-things-for-themselves#post-2624079 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 10:29:12 +0000 snowjewelz 2624079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well my 21 month old is very insistent on doing everything on her own. I want to encourage that, so it's been hard not intervening or not going nuts when she makes a mess! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doing-things-for-themselves#post-2623827 Mon, 19 Sep 2016 16:20:17 +0000 looch 2623827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son really likes to help with the laundry. He will move stuff between the washer and dryer and he will fold certain items, like washcloths and his pajama pants. I had to make my peace that they are less than perfect and that it takes way longer than if I do it,</p> <p>He will also pack his own suitcase, which I know isn't an everyday thing, but builds his confidence. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doing-things-for-themselves#post-2623819 Mon, 19 Sep 2016 16:09:16 +0000 Silva 2623819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In addition to the other ideas here we have a spray bottle with vinegar that belongs to my daughter- she can grab that and a rag and helps with cleaning, wipes down her little table, etc<br /> She also feeds the cat.<br /> I'm always surprised by what she can do if I stop doing it for her! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doing-things-for-themselves#post-2623794 Mon, 19 Sep 2016 15:26:02 +0000 travellingbee 2623794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoyfulKiwi: Oh yes! Buckling himself and this weekend I taught him how to fold and put away laundry. He loved it. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doing-things-for-themselves#post-2623747 Mon, 19 Sep 2016 14:27:18 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2623747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 2.5-3.5, we had our son: set his place at the table, clear his plate, clean up spills, pick out/put on his clothes &amp; shoes, hang up his jacket/backpack, clip his car seat harness, tidy his toys, practice wiping after pottying.<br /> Now that's he almost 4 we're working on: putting on his socks, washing himself in the bath, wiping himself all the way clean, putting away his folded clothes, making his bed, and serving himself food. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doing-things-for-themselves#post-2623684 Mon, 19 Sep 2016 13:12:13 +0000 Smurfette 2623684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: We started having LO make her bed. She is so proud of herself. Tells me Mommy come look but close your eyes.</p> <p>She has to put her clothes in the hamper, she puts her dishes in the sink after all meals, gets her own water, then cleans up water after she overflows the cup, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doing-things-for-themselves#post-2623672 Mon, 19 Sep 2016 12:55:17 +0000 travellingbee 2623672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmm, things he does independently... gets dressed, cleans up toys, feeds the dog, gets his own water, empties his dishes from the dishwasher, cleans his place (puts dishes in the sink) after he eats, brushes his teeth (with supervision), sometimes sets the table, puts clothes in the hamper. The next one I want to work on is making the bed. We just took off his rail so now it is a bit easier. He's 3.5 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doing-things-for-themselves#post-2623663 Mon, 19 Sep 2016 12:32:23 +0000 psw27 2623663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: I feel like my LO does so many more things at school... I think I baby him too much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doing-things-for-themselves#post-2623660 Mon, 19 Sep 2016 12:29:36 +0000 Bao 2623660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: yes, that'll be me too. Like with them serving themselves at meals, I just want to dish it out and get eating...but they do it at school so maybe it won't be so bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doing-things-for-themselves#post-2623659 Mon, 19 Sep 2016 12:28:32 +0000 psw27 2623659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are working on this too. My LO is only 2 so we are working on pulling down his own pants, putting on his shirts, unzipping jammies, putting on shoes and socks. The hardest part for me is slowing myself down and letting him take the time to do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doing-things-for-themselves#post-2623646 Mon, 19 Sep 2016 12:05:24 +0000 Bao 2623646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO's teachers expressed in the most recent newsletter that they are working on the kids doing things for themselves. They serve themselves their meals, get their things from their hooks, dressing themselves etc. I want to start having the girls do more for themselves at home. What kinds of things do you have your LO do on their own? I'm thinking of letting her serve herself at dinner, we currently just make their plates for them. This will definitely be a learning curve for me! Of course they do a lot on their own, like shoes, getting clothes on, picking up toys, throwing their trash away etc. </p>