If you find yourself doing too much for your kids and helping them with tasks they’re capable of tackling solo, it may be time to teach them how to be a little more independent.
If you’re wondering where to start, take a look at the following tips from an independent school in London.
Stop doing start teaching
If you’ve always done everything for your children, going cold turkey and letting them get on with tasks by themselves might make them feel a bit helpless and could possibly knock their confidence too.
Instead, spend some time teaching your children how to carry out basic tasks, so that they’ll eventually feel capable enough to carry them out alone.
You could start by giving tutorials on the correct way to wash the dishes, or help them write a checklist for the things they need to include in their school bag.
Encourage decision making
Give your child a sense of autonomy by allowing them to make certain decisions for themselves.
Allow children to pick the route you take whilst out on a walk, let them choose their outfits and what they want for breakfast. You could even enlist their help creating the family meal plan, or let them pick which colour they want to paint their bedroom.
The more familiar a child becomes making simple decisions and using independent thought, the more confident they’ll be tackling more important decisions without your assistance.
Celebrate effort
As your child begins to navigate the world without you holding their hand, it can be a little daunting and things may not always work out on their first attempt.
It is important to encourage your child and give them plenty of support and validation as they begin to explore their new found independence. If they attempt to do something and it doesn’t go their way, give some constructive feedback and tell them that you are proud of them for trying.
This will give them the confidence to try again and will stop them from feeling foolish that they haven’t gotten it right the first time.
Disclosure: this is a collaborative post