The 3 oldest kids begged me to teach them how to tie their shoes before they went to kindergarten, maybe even when they were still 4. We worked and worked at it, and each of them eventually got it. James never asked for help, or showed any desire to learn, and so I didn't offer. I wasn't sure how I was going to have the patience to teach him anyway.
Then last week, I heard Erik say to James, "Here, let me show you how to tie your shoe, so that you can do it yourself." Oh boy, I thought. Here we go. Erik will show him, and then I'll spend the next few weeks listening to James yell about how he can't get it right, and he'll fight me when I try to help. To my amazement, however, James came to find me a few minutes later, to show me the new skill he had learned.
He ties his shoelaces all the time now, without any help at all.
Learned it and mastered it, all in about 5 minutes.
Good job James! (and Erik.)
