Читать книгу Raising Able - Susan Tordella - Страница 35

We parents do so many things for our children. Dreikurs implores parents to never do anything for a child that she can do for herself.

Would you believe that first graders can make their own lunch, with parents’ assistance? Children are more likely to eat lunches they prepare. It teaches them responsibility and self sufficiency. It frees parents from the role of servant.

My children’s lunches stood out at school. “Mom, most kids get their lunches made for them,” Ian said when he was 7 years old. “Really, Ian. How can you tell?”

“I just can.” I suspect the mother-made lunches were neater.

Would you believe that children as young as 11 or 12 can do their own laundry? I got fed up with finding clean clothes mixed in with dirty clothes to be washed. I taught them how to use the washer and dryer and liberated myself from being their laundry servant. Children as young as 6 years old can operate the machines. Toddlers and up can help out in many laundry tasks alongside of parents.

Would you believe that tweens and teens can paint the house, babysit and drive younger siblings places, go grocery shopping, clean house, do dishes daily, cook and do yard work?

Would you believe tots-to-teens can contribute to the common good without getting paid? Money never changed hands for my children’s contributions other than the standard benefits of room, board and a wide variety of other services provided free of charge. They received allowances until age 12 to be spent at their discretion. The allowances were never tied to behavior, chores, school grades, or used as punishment or reward. They were expected to contribute to the family and share in the rewards.