Kids Are Capable

Submitted by Emily Wright

Who knew that a pandemic would cause my son and me to teach each other so many valuable lessons?

As time passes during this pandemic, I've had a valuable realization; my six year old son is capable of taking on a lot more responsibility than I've encouraged in the past. And when he does things for himself he feels great about. It builds his self-esteem.

Now that I'm working from home and in the basement, he's pattering around upstairs ... sometimes by himself. He's taught me that he can make his own lunch, get his own snacks, and get dressed all by himself. And he's proud when he completes these tasks. 

Does he coordinate outfits the way I do? Usually the answer is no. Let's just say his choices are ... "interesting" :) But he'll learn. Does he get the same snacks for himself that's I'd give him? Often, because I've stocked our pantry and fridge with healthy choices. And he even unpacks a Lunchable onto a plate before he sits down to eat lunch. This kid has class! He's taught me that he knows how to make a sandwhich too. Until now I've been too busy ... to share the load.

Recognizing that he's more cabable than I realized recently led us to have a conversation about chores. We agreed to jointly define a list of household chores he can take on in exchange for $10.00 a week. I explained that I'm not going to buy him everything he wants, but that he can use this money to make some strategic purchases of his own. He started thinking about that immediately and quickly pointed out that he could save it until he had $100!

​I got to thinking too and realized that little lessons now may payoff for both of us in big ways as he gets older and especially when he's a teenager.

Who knew that a pandemic would cause my son and me to teach each other so many valuable lessons?

"Temporary art" project for school

Working on a school assignment

Emily Wright is a mother and product manager at Hach. She earned a BA degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Colorado Boulder.

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-- Laundry Lineup
-- Parenting During a Pandemic
​-- Imagination Engaged
​-- Humor Helps
​-- Adapting to the "New Normal"​
​-- Expect the Unexpected (Good News!)
-- Getting Real