How do you decide how much to help your child with something s/he knows how to do? For example, both of my kids know how to dry off and put on their jammies after bath. However, my three year old often pitches a fit when I ask her to do it herself! Sometimes I do help her but sometimes I just leave and offer some consequence if I have to come back and put her jammies on for her. My son is not like this at all! He has always been fairly proud and happy to do things for himself! Where do I draw the line? Or how can I get her to do things for herself?
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Is there a reason you need her to do it herself? DD is 4.5 and still likes us to help dress her.
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Our 3 (almost 4) yr old goes through phases like this. I have to make it a game to get her to do it. The more I give consequences, the more she resists... I think it's just that she wants to have more attention and she's seeing what will get it for her.
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My 3.5 year old is in this whiny phase. I think it's a manipulation tactic. I encourage him to be a big boy. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
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My daughter is only 2.5, but there are times when she's doing something that we both know that she can do and she says "I can't do it!" - I tell her to try and see, and that I know that she can do it like a big girl, etc etc... Sometimes that works, other times it doesn't. I pick my battles and help her out. Often she does it herself the next time.
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@T.H.O.U.: I guess I just want her to do things herself and not say she can't. Dressing may not be as good an example as eating. When it's something she doesn't want to eat/finish, she asks us to help her. Like, she wants us to put the food in her mouth. Obviously she has no trouble putting candy or ice cream in her mouth... Never asks for help with that! So it's a bit annoying!
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@mamimami: That is so annoying!! I think it's the age though... along with flipping out when things aren't "perfect". Good luck!
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6 comments