Anyone else in this era?!
It’s always when we’re already running late.
Shoes half on. Keys in hand. Somewhere to be.
And suddenly, they’re very serious about doing it all by themselves.
Some days it tests every ounce of my patience because what feels like a 10-second task turns into a full production. But in those moments, I’m also reminded that this is independence growing right in front of me. Confidence being built. A tiny human learning, “I can do hard things.”
So I’m learning to slow down with them. To plan for the extra minutes. To adjust the schedule just enough so they can try without everyone feeling rushed, frustrated, or on edge.
Because this season isn’t really about getting out the door faster. It’s about nurturing autonomy, celebrating effort, and letting them practice showing up for themselves… even when it takes forever.
Parenting toddlers and preschoolers is a constant balance of patience and progress and I’m choosing to honor both which doesn’t always come as natural as I thought pre-kids.
If you know, you know.
Parents of littles, are you in the “I can do it myself” era?
#ToddlerLife #PreschoolParenting #RaisingIndependentKids #ParentingInTheTrenches #RealMomLife
Every parent of toddlers knows the struggle when a simple task turns into a lengthy endeavor because your little one insists on doing it themselves. Whether it's climbing into a car seat or putting on shoes, these moments can push our patience to the limit, especially when running late. From personal experience, I've found that this phase, while frustrating, is a crucial window for building autonomy and confidence in young children. It's important to remember that these tasks aren't just about the action itself but about your child learning to say, "I can do hard things." One tip that has helped me immensely is planning for extra time before leaving the house. Adding 10-15 minutes to your schedule allows your child to attempt things independently without everyone feeling rushed. This adjustment reduces stress for both parent and child, turning what could be a power struggle into an opportunity for learning and growth. I've also learned the value of slowing down and truly celebrating effort rather than speed or perfection. Praising the attempts encourages resilience and boosts their self-esteem. It's less about getting out the door faster and more about nurturing their ability to show up for themselves. This 'I can do it myself' era is also a test of parental patience and flexibility. At times, it feels like progress comes in slow increments, but honoring both patience and progress harmonizes the challenging dynamics of parenting toddlers and preschoolers. If you find yourself in this phase, take heart: you're shaping your child's independence one small, sometimes slow, step at a time. Embracing this silly, trying, yet beautiful season has made my parenting journey feel more rewarding and meaningful. So yes, this era is challenging—but it’s also filled with priceless moments of growth and joy for both you and your child.