Emma-Say It Like It Is...

Do you ever have one of those parenting moments when you realize maybe your methods aren't as good as your intentions? I just had one of those moments....But I will back up a minute. Emma is our 4th child, she is 5 years old. She very often plays the "helpless card" because she knows there will be someone around to do something for her. I have been trying to teach her to be more independent. For instance every morning the kids get up and pour themselves a bowl of cereal, no big deal. Except for Emma, she wines and pouts until someone does it for her (well she used to until a few weeks ago). When she would ask me to do it for her I would say, "No Emma, you are not handicapped, you are a big girl, do it yourself!" Well apparently I have used that phrase a bit too often. I just got her out of the bath tub and said, "Emma could you please drain the plug?" She cheerfully replied, "Sure mommy, this girls not handicapped!" That was the moment I realized that doesn't sound very good. It's funny how you don't realize what you sound like until one of your children repeats something you've said. Now I have to come up with a new phrase to teach her independence. Maybe I'll just use...NO WAY, DO IT YOURSELF! Sound any better?