Thoughts On Nurturing Independence in Children

Kids are often thought of as little people who should just exist in a vacuum that has been established by their parents.  They are born, they follow the instructions given to them by adults, and offer nothing to the world until they are adults. 
 
In many culture around the world, children do as they are told, speak when they are spoken to, and never interact with anyone unless given permission to do so.  They maintain a life controlled by the adults around them.  Although in most cases this is welcomed by the society they live in, there are some new views that encourages parents to be more lenient in the rearing of their children.  The idea is to give children a voice in their existence, in hopes that they will become more well-adjusted, critical thinkers, in the world. 
 
Here are some of the “new” thinking some want parents to embrace.  When appropriate…

1. Invite children to be part of discussions in the home.  They need to listen, think, and give their input.
2. Make your child be part of the decision making process in things about school life.
3. Engage children daily, in conversations about what’s going on around them. Know their thoughts and feelings.
4. Let your child make a decision about something and learn the consequences of that decision. It’s a learning process, good or bad.
5. Can your child create a schedule for his/her day?  Try it and see what happens.
6. Provide guidance, but let go of the control and allow children to make some decisions for themselves.  If things go wrong, you are there to help make the corrections.
7. Encourage, Praise, Teach Responsibility.

 
 
 
 
SN/BMR

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