Are We Raising Children Who Can Cope Without Us?
Parents today are more involved in their children's lives than any generation before them. Yet many children are becoming less confident at solving problems on their own.
Are we giving them enough opportunities to cope without us?
Five powerful thoughts.
▪ Every rescued problem is a missed opportunity
When we immediately step in, children miss the chance to discover their own capability. They lose interest in the problem.
▪ Confidence grows from doing hard things
Children do not become confident by being protected from challenges. They become confident by overcoming them.
▪ Small struggles build future strength
Forgetting homework, managing friendship disagreements, making mistakes and recovering are all part of growing up. They need that special journey.
▪ Independence is built gradually
Children don't suddenly become capable at eighteen. It develops through hundreds of small decisions made throughout childhood. Those personal decisions are very satisfying.
▪ The goal is not dependence on parents
The goal is a child who eventually says:
"I can handle this." That makes them happy!
One of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child is not solving every problem for them. It is helping them discover they can solve some problems themselves.
“Do not handicap your children by making their lives easy.”