PROBLEM SOLVING

Child's Problem....

"Mom my ball went under the car"

Solution 1: THE I'M REALLY TIRED/GRUMPY/COMFY AND MY BOOK IS GOOD OPTION
(From my chair on the deck) "go get it."
5 year old " I can't"
Me " Oh well, too bad"

I have to admit this is the option rolling around in my head sometimes

Solution 2: DO EVERYTHING FOR MY CHILD SO MY CHILD LEARNS NOTHING AND I'M MORE TIRED OPTION
(Get off my chair, get down, go under the car and retrieve the ball)

This option is NOT ME....seriously I am reading a good book...

Solution 3: THE HOMESCHOOLING METHOD
(Get off my chair, bend down and look under the car)
Me "Yup...the ball is under the car"
5 Year old "I can't get it"
Me " Hmmmm I think you can...just try"
5 year old "Oops it just rolled away from me under the car"
Me " Hmmmm what are you going to do about it?"
5 year old " oh!! I know...I'll get a hockey stick....yay! I got it!"

With option 3 Lara learned something and lessens the chance I will need to get up from my comfy chair on the deck and help her next time....it is a win win situation all around :)