Have you ever told your kids, “I will be glad when you learn to tie your own shoes!!!!” Oh…I have said this statement so many times, I have lost count. It is usually in the midst of tying Bug (my daughters) shoe for the 500th time!! Let’s just say, Bug is very specific on how she wants her shoes tied! The loops have to be just right (and not too big). If they aren’t right, it is not uncommon for her to flick her shoe across the room. Believe me I can sympathize with this child! I use to do the same thing, but it was all about my sock and it bunching up. The stitch on it had to be just perfect or I would flick my shoe across the room! What can I say, I guess Bug’s pickiness over her shoe is payback (right…mom???).

Well the days of me tying Bug’s shoes are numbered (sigh). My independent child is determined to learn how to tie her shoe. A few weeks ago, she asked me to show her how to tie her shoe. Honestly, I kind of blew her off because I thought she was too little to learn. Everyone I talked to said Bug would be at least 5 or 6 before she would learn how to tie her shoe. It wasn’t until I saw her trying to tie it on her own, that I realized I should start teaching her.

I will admit I am impressed with the progress Bug has made. The first couple of days, Bug struggled with crossing the laces and tying them, but she has now mastered that. She also understands the whole make a bunny ear and looping the other lace around it. We are struggling with pulling the lace through to complete the double loop (are you confused yet). The loops usually come apart in her little hands and she gets soooo frustrated.

Bug is so cute to watch! She just works and works to try and tie her shoes. She is determined that she is going to learn this summer! I keep telling her that it is all about practice, but I also know it is about dexterity. Bug’s little fingers just struggle to perform the task. I know she will get it eventually; we are just in for a long summer of practice.

Needless to say, when I say “put on your shoes,” I now have to allow extra time. I have to allow Bug time to practice tying her shoes and then I have to tie them (correctly).

While I am glad Bug is learning to tie her shoes, I am also sad. This is just another sign that my little girl is growing up and she isn’t going to need mommy to tie her shoes. I wonder when I will have to tie those little shoes for the last time (Can someone get me a tissue?!?!).

Here is a picture of Bug trying to tie her shoes this morning.

How old was your little one when they learned to tie their shoes? Did you have any special song or trick?