DIY for Kids: How to Ensure Your Kids Are Really Doing the Projects and Not You

This is part of a sponsored campaign with McDonald’s®. All opinions are my own.

“Look Ronnie, you got an A.”  That’s what my husband would tell me when one of our kid’s graded projects would return home.  He was joking, but he had a point.  I was too hands-on when it came to their projects.  And it was bad too.  Because if one of them came home with a “B,” my ego would be bruised and in my mind I would say: “that teacher doesn’t know what she’s doing?”  But just in my mind.  I had to keep my cool for the kids and tell them they did a great job. Lol!

So I really had to let go and allow my kids to work on their DIY projects and school projects by themselves. I’m a work in progress, but here are a few ways that I am able to ensure that my kids are able to do their own projects (with minimum help from mommy.)

Teach them good habits.

I believe if you teach them right, then you can set them free and they will be alright.  Here are a few basic things that you need to teach your kids:

1. Always read all of the instructions first.
2. Always do your very best job.
3. Always review the instructions at the end to make sure you have covered all steps (this is important for school assignments.)
4. And finally, always clean up after yourselves.

Once your kids get these habits down, they are good do to any DIY project alone.

Let go and focus on what really matters

I know that some kids are gifted.  But for the most part, if your child’s project looks like Picasso himself painted it or like a Master’s level thesis, then that is a good indication that you as a parent were too involved in the process.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying don’t get involved. But, I am saying let go of the control and do what you should be doing which is to answer questions as needed, take pictures for your memory books and photo albums and just enjoy the time with your kids.

This is why I am happy to be partnering with McDonald’s to remind us all to focus on the moments that matter.  As a busy mom, I frequently take my kids to McDonald’s so that they can enjoy their favorite foods and so that I can enjoy seeing them happy while they eat.  And since I’ve already taught them great eating habits, I’m always happy to see them ordering apple slices, side salads, Cuties or even the low-fat yogurt with their Hamburgers and Chicken Nuggets.

BMWK – let me know in the comments below if you can relate to being too involved in your kid’s projects? 

Disclosure: Thank you to McDonald’s® for sponsoring this post and for always being there over the years when I’ve needed to focus on what really matters.  All opinions are my own.