Top Tips To Let Your Child Be Independent

As distant as it may seem as you spoon feed your little darling, there will come a point when your children want to spread their independence wings. It is difficult to strike a happy balance, though. As a parent, you have to patient but not to laid back. You need to be able to guide them enough to encourage independence but not overly guiding that they don’t have the chance to make choices themselves.

 

Have Routine

Children thrive on a routine when they are little and this carries through as they get older. When you manage to have a good balance between structure and freedom it helps them form independence.

Try things like:

Letting them choose their packed lunch from a list pre-chosen by you so that it’s not all chocolate.

Let them choose their clothes they want to wear and I promise they will grow out of going to the supermarket at Spiderman.

Help But Don’t Take Over

When they hit a problem it’s out instinct to rush to their aid and help them. Try stepping back and let them try to solve the problem. You could give guidance just not solutions.

If they have brothers or sisters they will fall out. They will fight. Let them work it out.

Role playing games are brilliant at letting them develop these skills without them realizing.

Give Them Responsibilities

The first few times you will have to guide them but give them responsibilities like giving breakfast to a pet, packing their lunch boxes, cleaning their shoes once a week.

Failing Isn’t The End of the World

As they try to solve problems and make choices etc sometimes they will make the wrong choice. They will fail at things. This is when they learn the biggest lessons. It will be difficult for you not to rush in and make things better but stop yourself as its all part of the learning process and will teach them to choose differently or complete tasks etc.

Just as they learn to be independent, you too will have to learn as a parent to step back. Just keep reminding them that you love them, you care for them but you want them to solve their own problems and make their own choices.