I got some reassuring posts on here the other night which is why I decided that I am going to give the board a second chance, not that it's any of your business why or when I'm browsing!!
Anyway, when I collected DD from school today, the teacher came out and told me that my daughter was complaining of the cold whilst outside at lunchtime so teacher asked her to "fasten up the jacket" but my daughter couldn't fasten the zip so teacher did it for her.
I had no idea that my 7yr old girl couldn't zip a jacket so am a wee bit worried because, to my knowledge, most 7yr old kids can zip a jacket.
I started to teach her as soon as we got home but after 5 minutes, she ran up to her room crying and saying to me "I am useless, what is wrong with me".
Welcome back---did you ever get your car started or into a mechanic (since you never updated that thread , to tell us if you fixed the issue or had sought help elsewhere, I figured I'd ask here).
Yes, most 7 year olds can zip up a coat, but plenty struggle with it as well--especially if no one ever really taught them; which it sounds like you did not teach her or else you would have known she could not. Unless she struggles with fine motor skills overall, I doubt you have anythign to be overly concerned about (which surely you would notice, right? Things like writing, cutting with scissors, manipulating a fork and spoon, leogs, tying shoes, etc)
How is the zipper on her jacket? Some are trickier than others to line up and start (I have one jacket that I struggle with as an adult, but it is such a great coat otherwise I deal with it). Try it when she is wearing it and you are standing behind her so you can see how the pieces line up from the angle she'll be using.
If she has other (light weight?) jackets with easier to use zippers, start working with her on those first (and let her know YOU screwed up by not teaching her and she should not feel badly about herself--poor things sounds like her self esteem is taking a hit) and build up to the harder jacket (even if the zipper are equally easy, not having her movement as restricted as a bulky jacket can might help). In the meantime, yes, if y snap or button or Velcro jacket is an option that would be great for her to take to school. Or, at the least you can send her with a pully that is warm and cozy to pu on when going out to play (with the unzipped jacket over it).
ETA--in case it seems otherwise, OP I do not think you did anything wrong in failing to think about teaching your DD to zip her jacket--plenty of kids learn by osmosis or from daycare, etc and it is easy to miss something---I just thing you need to make it clear to your daughter, who is obviously feeling like not being able to do this is some sort of failure on her part, that it is NOT and an easy way to do that is to explain that it is your fault for not teaching her.
Happy birthday to your daughter.
