Waiting Until Ready

When I was doing Joy School with the Mikey and Roger I would be so frustrated when my friends would send their 3-4 year old kids over in shoes that had shoelaces. I understood that they were trying to teach their children how to tie their shoes, and I can support that, but it was quite difficult when it was time for them to go outside and I not only had to help my four boys get their shoes on, but had to sit and tie several pairs of shoes.

I haven't focused on teaching Mikey how to tie, it just hasn't been something that I've found urgent for him to learn. Then I noticed that the velcro straps on one of his shoes is coming apart, meaning I am going to have to buy him some new shoes. I decided that maybe it would be a good time to teach him how to tie so that maybe we would get him shoes with shoelaces.

A couple of weeks ago I sat down with Mikey in-order to teach him how to tie. Twenty minutes later and very minimal frustrations, Mikey can tie shoes. I can't believe that it was so easy, and so pleasant. He now ties Grant's shoes for me (his own shoes haven't broken all the way yet, so he still doesn't have new tying shoes).

May I always remember to challenge Mikey, but to not push him into mastering something before he is ready. Life will be much more pleasant if I can do that.