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<\/p>\nSometimes life has a funny way to show you that some things are truly out of your control. I am probably one of the most free-range parents you will ever meet and I wanted more than anything to not raise “mama’s boys”… well guess what? My oldest son is the most cautious kid I have ever met. He gets so worried and worked up about safety. Like… WAY MORE than me. For example, when his younger brothers run around outside, he is the one chasing and yelling after them to stop or stay closer, whereas I don’t mind, and typically just sit back and watch. And for the “No mama’s boys” things? Well, all three boys ARE… especially the youngest (although, I don’t really mind anymore).<\/p>\n
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But there is one thing that still troubles me. My husband as well. It is the fact that our kids are capable of so much, but they really lack independence. From doing basic stuff around the house (like pouring their own cereal and milk) to just playing independently. A part of it is the fact that my husband and I always rush to do everything for (or with) them… often because it’s quicker and doesn’t result in tears. But why can’t my kids just play independently?<\/strong> Sometimes I wonder if it’s because I’m a stay-at-home-mom. Here’s why…<\/p>\n Typically after school, my kids and I will stay around in the school yard before going home. The playground is full of other kids who are part of the after-school program. These kids run around and play together with minimal input from the teachers. My kids on the other hand are either sitting right next to me or refuse to go and play unless I play with them or watch them. The other kids don’t have this option (or luxury), but my kids do. And if I refuse? They just won’t play! It’s really a vicious cycle, and I’m not sure how to change it besides signing them up for the after-school program (which obviously I won’t due because I’m at home, so it would be a waste of money… or would it??)<\/p>\n Does my constant presence and ability to be completely attentive to my kids and their needs cause me to smother them too much and hinder their abilities to become independent?<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n I guess what I’m trying to figure out is whether my children’s lack of independence is related to the fact that I am a stay at home mom. I would love for you to weigh in, whether you work or stay at home, are your kids independent or dependent and what factors do you believe determined their level of independence?<\/p>\n Sometimes life has a funny way to show you that some things are truly out of your control. I am probably one of the most free-range parents you will ever meet and I wanted more than anything to not raise “mama’s boys”… well guess what? My oldest son is the most cautious kid I have […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12702,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Weigh in and help me figure out why my kids are not independent. Does it have to do with the fact that I'm a stay-at-home-mom? https:\/\/wp.me\/p3dEqj-3iL #SAHM #momlife #momtruths","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[137227404,5309],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-12695","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-featured","8":"category-parenting","9":"entry"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mayahoodblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/nate-washing-hands-independently--768x1024.jpg\")
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