RAISE INDEPENDENT AND RESPONSIBLE CHILDREN

As parents, we need to start helping our children become competent in the world. To do so, you have to learn to step back and let your child take risks, make choices, solve problems and stick with what they start.

Let your child take healthy risks

Force yourself to stand back while your child takes a healthy risk. To build confidence in the world, children have to take chances, make choices and take responsibility for them. Parents trying to rescue their children from failure all the time does more harm than good.

Let your children make their own choices

When kids make their own age-appropriate choices, they feel more powerful. This teaches children as young as two can start considering the consequences of their decisions. Age appropriate is the key term here. Adult decisions must be left for the adults.

Let them help around the house

In building self-esteem, children also need opportunities to demonstrate their competence and feel that their contribution is valuable. At home, that means asking them, even when they’re toddlers, to help with cooking, setting the table and making beds. House chores teach a powerful lesson about collaboration and responsibility.

Set goals

Teach your kids to work towards a goal and to have pride in their accomplishments. Provide them with opportunities for success.

Try, try again

Encourage your children to try things their own way, face challenges and take risks.