Teaching Life Skills Without Even Trying
Sometimes, we worry too much about whether we’re doing enough as parents. Are we teaching them the right things? Are we preparing them for the future?
By being given small opportunities to try.
By being trusted.
By being allowed to make mistakes and learn from them.
Making breakfast might seem small, but it’s part of a larger picture. It’s part of learning how to manage time, how to follow steps, how to clean up, how to take responsibility for daily life.
These skills matter.
Celebrating Effort, Not Perfection
The breakfast wasn’t perfect — and it didn’t need to be.
What mattered was the effort.
Children don’t need to do things flawlessly to deserve praise. They need to be encouraged for trying, for showing initiative, for stepping outside their comfort zone.
By celebrating effort instead of perfection, we teach them that it’s okay to learn. That it’s okay to grow at their own pace.
This morning reminded me to slow down and notice the little things.
It’s easy to get caught up in routines, schedules, and responsibilities. But childhood doesn’t last forever. Moments like this — quiet, ordinary, and meaningful — are worth paying attention to.
They’re the moments you’ll remember years from now.
Looking Ahead
If my 12-year-old can make his own breakfast today, who knows what he’ll be capable of tomorrow?
Each small step builds confidence. Each act of independence prepares him for the world beyond our home.
And while he may not realize it yet, this simple morning routine is part of becoming the person he’s meant to be.
This morning, my son made himself breakfast.
And in doing so, he reminded me that growth doesn’t always come in big, dramatic moments. Sometimes, it comes quietly — with a plate, a spoon, and a sense of pride.
To parents everywhere: notice these moments. Celebrate them. Be gentle. Be proud.
Because one day, you’ll look back and realize that these small mornings were never small at all.
