No rest for the wicked

I just thought I'd share this little tale with you all. I'm sure many of you will relate to this.

I got home from work today, absolutely worn out. I'd popped out into the back garden briefly, and my son (2 and a half year old) followed me out. He has his own little area of the garden.

He spotted some plants in pots that I hadn't got round to planting, picked one up, and carried it off to his patch. 'Dig' he announced, and then ran off into the house. A few seconds later, there he was with the trowel in his hand.

He came back and started digging, but he struggled a bit. He pondered this for a second before handing me the trowel and once again stating 'Dig', so I dug, thinking he's just got one plant, it'll only take me a second. Having planted the plant, he wandered off back in the direction of the house. Thinking he was satisfied, I sat myself down to chill for a bit. Not for long, he'd wandered off to collect another plant, and once again I had to dig. This went on for for some time. I didn't want to knock his enthusiasm by refusing to help so I persevered through the extreme tiredness. I was only let off when he tried to collect the big buddleja but couldn't carry it, and I managed to convince him that it looks good on the patio where it currently is until I sort out its final spot.

 

Clueless, the word you were looking for is NO.:D

Kids used to to hear it a lot, but not so much these days

 

Don't buy any trees Clueless, you'll be out there forever!

 

He does get told no when appropriate, but I think when he's asking for help doing something productive, but only just beyond his ability, I don't want to teach him that he is limited in his capability. He wasn't demanding, he was just cheerfully trying to get his dad to help him with his garden. The last thing I want to do is teach him not to bother coming to me for help when he needs it.

 

Ok sorry clueless

 

No need to apologise, you're right I think some parents are too soft. I don't really know what I'm doing, I've only been a dad for 2 and half years, but I try to be like my dad was with me as a kid. Fun and approachable, but ultimately the boss.

I also keep in mind two of my dad's favourite parenting sayings:

"Its easier to beat the devil into a child than it is to beat the devil out".

and..

"Reward good behaviour at least as much as you punish bad behaviour, just do one or the other and he won't learn the difference".

 

My two year old grandson 'helped' me planting sugar snaps and French beans. I sowed mine in the proper way in the veg plot and watered and waited. He sowed his in a large plant pot - all of them, with the beans at the very bottom. None of my beans (and I did two sowings!) came up, but several of his did. The rabbits ate most of my peas, but none of his, which have been rioting in the pot! Just luck, or green fingers showing at an early age?!!

 

Thanks for that Armandii. I do my best

 

That is a great approach - I also think that whatever the child is interested in, one should let him get on with it unless the situation is dangerous or inappropriate.