How My 3-Year-Old Is Already More Independent Than Me

I always thought “independence” was something you taught kids when they were 10. Turns out, my 3-year-old didn’t get the memo.

She can:

• Pick her clothes (and sometimes look like a fashion blogger, other times like a rainbow exploded).

• Wear those clothes all by herself (inside-out shirts are a lifestyle, not a mistake).

• Brush her teeth (and splash half the bathroom in the process).

• Clean her room (translation: shove toys under the bed).

• Pop popcorn (which she thinks makes her a MasterChef finalist).

• Break eggs (the yolks don’t always make it to the bowl, but hey, progress).

• Wear her own shoes (left-right confusion is part of the charm).

• Pack her school bag (snacks first, everything else optional).

Meanwhile, I’m a work-from-home mom — “always on screen for the office,” while raising her to be a screen-free kid. Yes, the irony is alive, kicking, and streaming on Zoom calls.

💡 Tips (That Actually Work for Me)

1. Let Them Struggle a Little

It takes everything in me not to swoop in when she wrestles with a shoe. But that tiny victory dance she does after figuring it out? Worth the 7 extra minutes.👉 Mom Tip: Breathe. Sip tea. Pretend you didn’t see her trying to put both legs in one pant leg.

2. Give Choices (but Only Two)

“Do you want the red frock or the yellow frock?” = smooth morning.“Pick anything from the wardrobe” = fashion show meets emotional breakdown.

3. Make Chores Fun

Cleaning the room = “Let’s see how many toys we can find under the bed!”Packing her bag = “Snack Tetris: Can you fit the biscuit box and the water bottle?”

4. Mess = Learning

Broken eggs, spilled toothpaste, clothes on backwards — it’s all part of the curriculum.👉 Mom Reminder: A messy floor today = a capable adult tomorrow. (Also, thank God for wet wipes.)

5. Lead by (Imperfect) Example

She sees me working, cooking, multitasking — and copies. Which means sometimes she also copies me staring at the laptop. 😅👉 Note to self: Put the screen down once in a while. Not just for her, but for me.

🎭 The Irony of My Life

I’m raising a screen-free kid while living on Zoom, Slack, and endless emails. Sometimes she scolds me:“Mommy, no screen!”And honestly? She’s right.

Because the truth is — I want her to be independent, yes, but also to see that independence doesn’t mean being busy all the time. It means knowing when to pause, breathe, and enjoy life.

🌱 Final Thought

At 3, she can already do so much on her own. Some days I think she’s training to move out by 10. Other days, she still wants me to hold her hand while she falls asleep.

And maybe that’s the balance — raising her to be independent, but still reminding her (and myself) that she’ll always be my little girl. 💖