Another step toward making myself obsolete

My teaching process:

1. At age 5, attempt to show her how to do it; she ignores me completely.
2. Prior to kindergarten, borrow the book from a friend and help her work through it a couple of times; duck when she throws the book across the room and vows to never wear shoes again.
3. Buy her a pair of velcro sneakers because face it, her kindergarten teacher has better things to do than retie her shoes for her four times every day.
4. At age 6.25, when she's in a crafty mood anyway, haul the book out again and help her work through it a couple of times; duck when she throws the book at my head.
5. The same day, offer to show her a technique that's different from how the book teaches you ("around the tree" vs. "bunny ears"), and demonstrate it in slow motion several times.
6. Let her practice a few times by doing part of the motion while I do the rest.
7. Let her practice on her own, stepping in to straighten things out when they go wrong.
8. Let her practice on her own, with verbal help when things go wrong.
9. Let her practice on her own with no help.
10. Wander off and eat a sandwich or something while she ties All The Things into bows.

Next lesson: Make me some brownies and a milkshake!