Letting your children grow without keeping constant watch over them
Terry Goodkind once said: “If the road is easy, you’re likely going the wrong way.” If you are a parent who does everything you can and beyond to ensure your children have an easy life, you might want to reconsider your way of raising children. Children who grow up in such households grow up to be individuals who are less resilient and more prone to emotional breakdowns when faced with adversities.
There is often a lot of pressure on parents about the way they raise their children. It naturally leads to highly protective parenting, which often turns to helicopter parenting. Micromanaging and hovering over your children on every step they take can hinder their emotional and mental development and will do them harm in the long term.
What can you do to help your children grow up more self-reliant and resilient?
Don’t solve your children’s problems for them
With the recent blog about tips on how to prepare your child for Term 3, something to reduce is time spent micromanaging your child. If you’re there to solve and sort out everything for them, they won’t learn how to do it on their own and will always be dependent on you. Instead, show them how to do it and let them implement it on their own. Your children will eventually grow up and venture out on their own. You won’t be able to be with them at all times to take care of things for them. At that time, if you want your children to do well (without your input), make it a habit for them to be independent from a young age. Your children should be able to depend on you if and when they need help, but that should never turn into a weakness for them.
Let them make their own decisions
From a young age itself, give your children more freedom and let them start making life decisions. It will help them become responsible and also believe in themselves. It can make them confident adults. Make sure that they know they need to be accountable for their decisions and actions too.
Give them the freedom to explore and encourage them to do so
Don’t keep your children locked up at home. Don’t make it a situation where the only places they frequent are the school and your home. Encourage situations where they go out with friends or on their own. But make sure they know what to do in emergencies and other situations. Give them instructions on keeping themselves safe. Encourage them to go out to explore their neighbourhood, go get groceries and do things on their own. It will help them grow resilient and give them the confidence that they can take care of themselves. It will also help them learn how to interact with people outside and also gain insights into how the world works.
Let them make mistakes and learn
Making mistakes is a part of growing up. When you learn to walk, it’s natural to fall several times. But from that, we learn how to walk properly. So, mistakes are important. Teach your children how to correct themselves when they make mistakes. Do not try to take care of it for them. Let them take responsibility.
Also, teach your children that it is ok to fail and that sincere effort towards something is what matters. When they fail, act as their support. Teach them not to let success go to their heads. Let them practise being patient and learn from failures.
Manage your expectations
Parents keep constant watch over their children also due to the unreasonable expectations they place upon their children. Try to understand your children, their strengths and weaknesses, and what their wishes in life are. If you do that, you will have a better idea about what your children are capable of. Base your expectations on that. It will help you avoid unnecessary disappointments and is also healthy for your children. Try not to make your children grow up bearing the weight and stress of expectations that are beyond their abilities. You will only be setting them up to fail.
Show them by example
The best way to teach is by example. Growing up, children admire their parents and the adults they see around them. Seeing them be resilient and steadfast can encourage and instil a desire in their hearts to be like that too. Make your children read about the lives of people you think are admirable and worthy of respect. Reading their life experiences can have a positive impact on your children.
Teach them to voice their opinions and feelings
Encourage your children to have opinions on different topics and voice their opinions. Never silence them when they speak their mind. Listen to them, provide valid arguments, and correct them if they are wrong.
Teach them the importance of standing up for themselves. It can help develop self-confidence and decision-making skills in them. Tell them to uphold their ideals and even defend them if necessary. But teach them to do it respectfully. Standing up for oneself doesn’t mean trampling on another person’s opinions and views.
It’s time to take a step back and let your children be. Only intervene if you think it is necessary. It’s their life to live. We hope these have brought you some helpful insights. All the best! 🙂
Exam Smart Tips
Exam Smart Tip #1 – How to Encourage Our Kids to Speak Better?
Exam Smart Tip #2 – How to avoid carelessness?
Exam Smart Tip #3 – Establishing Routines!
Exam Smart Tip #4 – Let’s Read Carefully!
Exam Smart Tip #5 – Beating the Exam Fever!
Exam Smart Tip #6 – How to Eat Right for the Exams?
Exam Smart Tip #7 – How to Avoid a Meltdown?
Exam Smart Tip #8 – Taking Stress out of Tests
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