Me Do It Myself!

Forget the Founding Fathers’ 1776 document! Here is the true Declaration of Independence:

“Me do it MYSELF!” 

This stirring sentence, delivered at top volume, unites all human beings of the toddler persuasion, and why not? Doesn’t everyone yearn to tie their own tiny sneakers, cut their own meat, put together their own four-piece puzzle? Of course!

“MDIM” reminds the grownups that the speaker is a fully functional, capable individual. And if said individual takes forfreakingever to accomplish these tasks, who cares? Preschool/grocery shopping/a rational bedtime can just wait!

My five offspring each embraced this battle cry as soon as they could form sentences. I, their grownup, tried hard to emulate Berry Brazelton, Penelope Leach and other champions of gentle parenting. Through gritted teeth, I’d respond, “Of course you can, darling! I was only going to point out that you’re trying to put your shorts on backwards, inside out, and by cramming both legs into one leg opening, that’s all! But, carry on, my precious!”

The kiddos indeed learned to do a great deal of life by themselves. Eventually, they were so darned capable that they no longer had to say “MDIM” much at all. And when they arrived, Aiden and Peter followed suit. I have every expectation that little Dimitri will similarly assert his freedom from annoying adult interference.

Even later (very later) in life, though, I’m still struggling with when, how, if, to accept help. Part of it is my ADHD: it’s hard to follow instructions, especially those given orally, and with thinly veiled exasperation. Take technology, for example (please!) After three decades of computerizing, I still have to stop and “process” (get it?) when it comes to clicking and dragging files, taking screenshots, and creating the simplest of videos. But I’d infinitely rather struggle alone than ask Sheridan, once again, how to do this or that. He is the most patient of souls, but I know deep down he thinks his mom is a moron.

When it comes to travel planning, my me-do-it-myself goes into high gear. During my church career, I successfully planned and executed 18 mission trips to such places as Guatemala, Alaska and even…Queens, NY! When my writing finally brought in enough cash for personal foreign travel, I happily plunged into every detail of mapping out our trips to Paris, Barcelona, Rome, etc. etc. Sure, the results weren’t 100% perfect, but I proved that I DID NOT NEED A GUIDED TOUR! I figured out connecting flights and confusing menus and safe neighborhoods to stay, all by myself!

Now, "MDIM" faces the biggest challenge yet—two weeks in Southeast Asia in November. So far, I have been late applying for visas (Vietnam) and entry documents (Thailand) and booked a visit to an elephant sanctuary many hours from our hotel, only to learn that the best elephant experience was only 20 minutes away. And I’m just getting started!

If we never make it back to the USA, it’s OK. The important thing is: Me did it MYSELF.