Don't Be Too Quick to Fix It
When your child has a problem, your first instinct may be to fix it.
They can't find something — you find it.
They are stuck on homework — you help.
They have a disagreement with a friend — you want to sort it out.
It's natural. We want to make life easier for our children.
But sometimes the best help we can give is to step back and let them have a go.This encourages independence which children crave in the longer term.
Instead of immediately solving the problem, try asking:
“What do you think you could do?”
Or:
“What have you tried already?”
Or simply:
“I'm here if you need me, but have another go first.”
These small responses teach children to think, make decisions and cope when things don't go according to plan.
Give them the gift of figuring it out. Show them you trust their judgement.
Your child won't always have you beside them to solve the problem. This is all about building independence.
The aim of parenting isn't to remove every obstacle from your child's path.
It is to give them the confidence and skills to navigate those obstacles themselves.
So next time your child brings you a problem, pause before you fix it.
You might be surprised by what they can work out. They will always amaze you!
“It’s not that I ‘m so smart, its just that I stay with problems longer.”