Independence is something that children are going to have to grapple with at some point. After all, part of growing up is being able to head out and make decisions (and mistakes) without your parents hovering over your shoulder. Children who are raised to function on their own also tend to enjoy a better quality of life – at least, in the opinion of some. But exactly what can we do to promote a little bit of independent thought and action in our kids? Let’s take a look at a few tips for encouraging your child to be independent.
When encouraging your child to be independent…
Let them make mistakes
If your children don’t make mistakes, then they’ll be unable to learn from them. Of course, some mistakes can be more costly than others. You don’t want to let your kids cook unsupervised. But at the same time, certain mistakes can be more instructive than a million lectures. If your kids go out in the rain and forget to take an umbrella, for example, they’ll be unlikely to repeat the mistake.
Teach them to budget
Budgeting skills are something all kids should work on. It’ll help them to apply basic arithmetic, and to decide on their priorities. Give children pocket money, but don’t limit how they spend it. You might open a savings account on their behalf, and get them to agree to putting a portion of their earnings into it.
Give them responsibilities
Kids should be able to chip in with basic household tasks. Looking after a pet can be a great way to teach them the value of responsibility – and the same goes for younger siblings, too.
Teach negotiation
Life is full of compromises. If you can’t bend, then you might end up breaking. You can get this message across to children by negotiating with them regularly. They can decide what they’d like for dinner, but not where you’re going to order it from.
Give them space
When encouraging your child to be independent, you need to give them space. Children need their own private space to discover themselves, and to interact with other children in a way that’s uninhibited. This isn’t risk-free, naturally, but it’s safer than letting them grow up in a world where you’re never absent.
Keep Track of Homework
By setting your child up with good work habits early in their childhood, they’ll end up being able to delay gratification later on. That means they’re not allowed to do the fun stuff (like video games) until the not-so-fun stuff (like maths homework) is dealt with. Give them a quiet space for independent study, and they’ll stand a much better chance of prospering.
Praise Them
When your child does something right, you must recognise it openly. There’s a big difference between being hands-off and being downright cold, and if they feel as though you’re never going to provide them with love and affection, they might end up becoming more dependent, rather than less.
What do you think of our tips for encouraging your child to be independent? What do you do with your child? Let us know in the comments below!
