Walking a fine line with independence, anyone else going through this?

Do you find that you walk a fine line between letting your child be independent and doing things for them because you know it can get done better and faster?

Megan is the type of child, where if you let her do something ONCE, she will NEVER let you do it for her again. Its nice that shes so independent BUT its frustrating too. One time I let her hold the toothbrush while brushing her teeth. Now she throws a fit if I try to brush them. Of course she is not doing it properly and I want it to get done the right way, but since I let her try on her own, she will not let me do it. Yesterday my sister showed her how to wash her hands at the sink while holding her. Now she wont let me clean her hand with a wipe because she wants to do it at the sink with water and soap.

I find myself walking such a fine line. I want her to be independent and learn new things BUT I also want things to be done the right way. She is SO STUBBORN that she wont give in. But then if I dont teach her new things, how will she ever learn?

ANyone else going through this at all? She is 19 months old.

Re: Walking a fine line with independence, anyone else going through this?

That's my 22 month old to a T.

I pick my battles very carefully, most of the time we compromise. I have a very stubborn, independent girl and i try not to squish it.

Like the hand washing thing-mommy wash then you wash. Small sentences work well. If she throws a fit, I walk away just like any other temper tantrum. When she calms down we try again.

I've been trying to let her do while at the same time doing what i need to do. It gives them sucha sense of accomplishment when they can do something themselves.

Now the toothbrushing thing...it's a battle everyday to get her to let me do it.
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