How much independence is too much with a toddler?

raisingtykes_13

Tried stepping back while mine climbed onto the step stool at the sink to wash her hands after lunch. She got the water running and soaped up okay, but then started reaching for the dish soap bottle on the far side and nearly tipped the whole thing over. Ended up with a wet floor and her insisting she could fix it herself.

kiddofun2023

My kid had that same “I got this” moment last month and ended up sliding right off the stool into the puddle. I just stood close enough to catch the bottle before it hit the floor but let the rest play out so she could see what happens when you stretch too far. She’s been a little more careful since, though the insistence on fixing it herself still cracks me up every time.

raisingtykes_13

Tried the close-but-hands-off thing and she still reached too far, slipped on the wet floor, and got mad when I grabbed the bottle. Now she’s refusing to wash her hands at the sink at all.