It's just easier if I do it myself.

Did anyone watch Desparate Housewives on Sunday?  Well there was one particular part of the episode that I related to completely.  Lynette's grown sons don't even know where she keeps the eggs, much less how to prepare them because Mom's answer is always "It's just easier if I do it myself".  For anyone who doesn't speak "mommy" that translates to I want to take care of my children and keep them little as long as possible.  We (maybe I should say "I") like to feel needed because one of these days our little ones will leave the nest.  I get teared up just thinking about it.

Jackson talks about growing up all the time.  He has it all worked out.  He is going to live in California (this changes depending on the day) and Mommy and Daddy are invited over every Sunday for pancakes.  Pancakes are our family breakfast most Sundays.  Sometimes he is going to live next door to me and connect our houses with a bridge, I am sure his future wife will love this!  Sometimes he is going to live with me until I am 99.  No matter how his plans change even Jackson knows he won't be with me forever.

Lately I have been working on letting them all do things for themselves, make their own beds, clean their rooms, take their dishes to the sink, shower with minimal help from me, pick out their own clothes (this one is the hardest for me) and so on.  The big thing is learning to tie our own shoes.  Geez you would think I was asking them to climb Mt. Everest!  We whine and cry and there is a lot of "Mommy I just can't do it!!!!!!!  Pllllleeeeeaaaassssseeeee do it for me!  I will tie my own shoes when I am 15 (this is the magic age for my boys not sure why)."  So I sit and I demonstrate and then I talk them through it and then they have to try.  Man this really is easier if I just do it myself!!!!  But then what?  I end up with grown sons who can't tie their own shoes.  I stay calm and patient in the face of all the whining and I don't give into my urge to keep my babies little.  Finally results!  And we are one step closer to having a self sufficient man!  Again I have tears in my eyes!