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Sri Juneja's avatar

One of the most memorable moments of parenting was when my 2 year old helped me assemble some chairs. It was just so amazing to see her focused and trying to mimic what I was doing. It just makes you realize these kids are going to learn no matter what you do (or don’t)!

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Kathryn Barbash, PsyD's avatar

Yes! They will learn no matter what you do.

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Chanel Riggle's avatar

The “War and Peace” image caption made me laugh. Thank you for having a spirit of humor to help parents slow down. I am really grateful for my friend who homeschools two boys, who provides me with a different perspective outside of social media, which I think pushes this hustle parenting.

She helps me realize that the school my daughter is in is enough. Reading and playing to her at night is enough. Embracing these every day opportunities in cooking, cleaning, etc IS ENOUGH.

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Kathryn Barbash, PsyD's avatar

I love putting a laugh in a caption, so yay! Yes, it is ENOUGH. This really came to me because we have just been hanging out more this summer, yes we go places but not with the same intensity of "making the most" of things. And you know what, it's pretty great. And then you realize how much more relevant the everyday is to kids. They really just want to be with us, be seen and loved. And you can do that running errands.

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The Workspace for Children's avatar

Yess! Love this and glad we are on the same page.

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Kathryn Barbash, PsyD's avatar

Thank you!

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Laura Jay's avatar

Thank you for this, I totally agree! My 2 year old would be over the moon to spend her days shopping, cleaning, gardening and riding the bus. She just likes to be involved and do it 'my own self'!

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Kathryn Barbash, PsyD's avatar

Oh, "my own self", I love that piece of development...in reflection or observation, not always when you are in it.

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Jennifer L.W. Fink's avatar

Yes, yes, yes! I have 4 sons & when they were young, I had no choice but to take them grocery shopping with me. I'd already learned that keeping them busy was the best way to keep them "out of trouble" (i.e. - from bugging me or their brothers), so I involved them. I gave the older 2 their own grocery lists & carts & sent them off to get those things while I got the rest w the baby. (Boy #3 was a speech therapy at this time -- we had 45 min. to get shopping done) The boys learned to read more words in the process, learned to compare prices, stayed busy, & learned an essential life skill.

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Kathryn Barbash, PsyD's avatar

These are really important skills! My oldest had a camp free week while his siblings were in camp and he wanted to change some things in his room. So we went to the store together and picked things out. It was a great opportunity to compare prices and talk about budget. Then he had to read the directions for the lights he wanted and determine whether he wanted to bother with getting special light bulbs, etc. These are life skills.

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Yael Schonbrun's avatar

Ah, I love this newsletter post so much!

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Kathryn Barbash, PsyD's avatar

Thank you, Yael!

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