Tips for Encouraging Independence in Children

We all want our children to thrive. It can be hard, however, to strike the right balance of what they need to set them up for success. Fostering independence in our children is key to helping them be confident and capable both now and in the future! Keep reading for tips on how to encourage independence in your child.

Shifting Parental Roles

According to the Child Mind Institute, parents start off as “fixers” for their children, handling any and every task, need, or challenge. “But at some point along the way,” they say, “the parents’ job changes…and we become consultants. Our job then is to help them find solutions for themselves. Shifting from “fixer” to consultant is a major change, and you might have a hard time with that.”  Staying too long in the “fixer” mindset instead of working to create independence in them instead can create reliant and demanding children who feel helpless (Positive Parenting Solutions). It is natural to struggle with this transition. What can help?

Providing Decisions and Challenges

Allow your child to do as much as possible for themselves, as young as age two or three. Giving your child an abundance of age-appropriate decisions and tasks helps them to feel capable. This could start as picking between a couple of outfits to wear, or dressing themselves for example! It can be tempting to want to do everything for our children, whether to be efficient or to try to keep them from feeling overwhelmed. It will likely take time and patience when handing more responsibility to your child, but it can go a very long way in fostering independence in them. Helping them to work through failure, find solutions for themselves, and learn lots along the way is a skill that will aid them for the rest of their lives (Positive Parenting Solutions)! 

Providing Support

It is important to note that doing this isn’t leaving kids out to dry– your loving support and guidance is a bedrock to their well-being! One of the best ways you can provide support is to be patient with them, encouraging their spirit and allowing them to take the time they need. Knowing also that they can fail and that they are still loved and capable can quell or prevent a lot of anxiety on their part (Positive Parenting Solutions).

We all need varying levels of support, and support can look like different things for different people! Do you feel like your child may need extra support navigating their daily lives? At Compass Community Health, our Pediatric Occupational Therapy team is here to support you and your child. Our OT services are geared toward nurturing development and growth, helping your child build essential skills for a brighter future!

Raising a child is hard. You and your child are both learning along the way! If you think your child may benefit from more support, don’t hesitate in reaching out– we’ve got your back! Give us a call today at (740) 355-7102.

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