At What Age Does Your Child Carry His Own Stuff

[Kindra178]

Now that I moving into the elementary world, I am trying to foster independence and need to figure out the best way to do that. So for example, if I take three kids to swimming class, right now I carry everything for everyone. At 5, should DS1 carry a bag with his own towel/change of clothes? OR is this a later/bigger kid thing? Although he dresses himself in the am, he still requires assistance with a dripping wet suit.

[egoldber]

They can certainly carry their own bags, just make sure it is not overloaded.

At almost 5, my younger DD is completely independent changing before and ater, but her older sister needed help a little longer, especially afterwards.

[gamma]

Starting around 4, everyone gets their own backpack for trips, the beach and travel.

[maestramommy]

When we're on outings, all the girls carry their own backpacks, which contain their snacks and water bottle, and sunhat. We just got back from a weeklong trip to MI, which included walking to the local pool. I carried two towels and snacks in a reusable bag, and the girls just walked wearing their swim vest. We probably could've made them carry their own towels, but they were really big, and would probably only fit in the bag, not their backpacks, and the bags are a little long and unwieldy.

Laurel's a bit of a wildcard. She will insist on carrying her backpack most of the time, but if she goes into the stroller, I hang it there. And sometimes she just doesn't want to carry it.

[hillview]

Both my kids (6 and almost 4) carry their own stuff most of the time. I often bring a big bag with everything just because it is easier to keep track of. When DS2 is tired we sometimes will carry it for him.
/hillary

[kedss]

at 5, my ds was carrying home a backpack everyday from school, had just a few things in it, like his lunchbag and his folders that they send home. I definitely didn't overload him, but he definitely likes carrying his own stuff around.

[SnuggleBuggles]

For the pool, we got this awesome towel bag a few years ago on LE. Can't find it now but here's one on Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/75318832...each-towel-bag

Ds could carry what he needed in there (goggles, lotion...). Very handy.

I still mostly take everything for everyone but friends have their kids do their own at age 4-5yo.

Beth

[rprav8r]

Originally Posted by Kindra178

Now that I moving into the elementary world, I am trying to foster independence and need to figure out the best way to do that. So for example, if I take three kids to swimming class, right now I carry everything for everyone. At 5, should DS1 carry a bag with his own towel/change of clothes? OR is this a later/bigger kid thing? Although he dresses himself in the am, he still requires assistance with a dripping wet suit.

DS (age 5.5) carries his own small backpack for outings like this, and has been doing so for a while. He can change on his own, but changing out of a wet bathing suit goes a lot faster if I help. I've been encouraging him to carry his own backpack since he got it at age 2, but was likely to just put it down w/o warning and leave it behind until the last year or two.

DD has one as well, and likes the idea of carrying her own stuff, but she is tiny - just 23 lbs at age 2.5, so it's more difficult for her. She can undress herself, but needs help getting out of a wet rashguard, and getting clothes on.

I always make sure both of them have what they need in their bags, although I can now tell DS what to put in his bag and he'll do it.