As a parent, it can be hard to find a balance between teaching your child how to be independent and keeping them as your little baby for as long as possible. But given that growing up is inevitable, it is important to start teaching your child skills to be independent from a young age. As big of a gift as love can be, strong and independent skills are also a fantastic thing that you can gift your child. Not only will you feel relief knowing that they are able to completes small tasks when you are unable to, but it ensures that they will be able to tackle the big world that approaches. But how exactly do we raise independent children with their tantrums, homework and stubbornness? It’s actually a lot easier than you think. Read on for 3 ways to help your child become more independent.
- Start by giving your child chores to complete. Teaching a child how to complete chores can start at a very young age and is effective the earlier you begin. Give your child appropriate chores that you know they are capable of completing such as tidying up their toy area or making their bed in the morning. Not only will this take a load off of you, but will help your child be successful later on in life too. It will teach them commitment as well as time management, two very important skills needed for life.
- Teach them how to save and spend money. Allowances are a way for a child to understand how the world functions. Work hard and earn money for your efforts. This can be followed up by chores with allowances granted after a successful completion of chores is achieved. Saving as a child is the easiest time to start as there are no commitments to monthly outgoing payments. Get them a piggy bank and guide them to finding something they really desire that they can save up for. This teaches resilience, patience and self-control. In the end when they have saved up enough, allow them the satisfaction of splurging.
- Encourage them to do tasks alone. It is very easy to get into the habit of doing small things here and there for your kids and before you know it, it’s become routine. Not only will your child be unable to complete simple tasks alone, but they’ll rely on others to constantly help them. Start small by making them put their own school shoes on, tidying up after themselves and or playing in the garden alone. This will arm them with the tools they’ll need when they’re older and only have themselves to rely on.
Remember, it is easy to get lost in completing tasks for your child but try and remember boundaries. You are prepping your child for their future. It’s okay to let them fail every now and again, they will learn and grow from it. Stay on track to building the most independent soldier around.