Let kids try things, like painting their room or cooking. It's messy and frustrating, but very rewarding for everyone when they start to get it.
Oh geez this. My parents never let me try out new things if they would be messy or might fail. I wanted a veggie garden, nope. Baking, too messy. Tons of craft things were vetoed for a very long time too. Thankfully as an adult I’ve rekindled these desires, and i have a garden I cultivate and a sourdough starter going (as examples). But I do mourn the learning I could have done as a kid.
I’m determined to let my kid do messy things. Right now the messiest thing she can do is spit up, but when she’s older she can have so much play doh and dirt time and baking time.
(Play doh only if she’s not eating it)
Thing is, it's sometimes very inconvenient when you are just trying to get something done, but the reality is, what are you rushing for? At that point in your life, it's ok to take the time to raise a productive, capable, well-rounded and happy person. In fact it's probably more important than pretty much anything else you have going on. Most of the things we rush to get back to are fleeting and temporary obligations or entertainment that don't have any meaning or value in the bigger picture.
Not latest, but prioritizing and promoting playing on their own.
