Being a parent is a complex job. It takes quite a bit of work and effort, but in the end, those investments in the effort to pay off.
As a parent, I want my kids to be happy, to be well-rounded, to be flexible, to be successful, and to be independent. They aren’t going to be babies forever, and one day, they are going to need to know how to thrive and survive without me. I think parenting is perhaps the only job that we are supposed to work our way out of, but that is the point.
With that being said, if you are like me, and want to ensure that your child grows into a strong adult, here are 6 great tips to help along the way.
1. Give them chores.
Giving your child a list of chores works out for their benefit in many ways. Not only does it instill discipline, responsibility, and respect, but it also teaches them useful skills they can use later in life. Of course, be age appropriate. A two-year-old can’t wash the dishes, but they can do small things like picking up their blocks.
2. Let them fail.
It may sound counterproductive, but for your child to establish a sense of self and even a sense of a flexible mentality, they must fail. They will learn through their failures and also find out that mistakes are not the end of the world.
3. Don’t hover.
Whatever you do, don’t hover. Studies show that kids who are raised by hovering helicopter moms are far more likely to end up anxious and dependent on their parents. So, give them some space to roam and as much freedom as is appropriate for their age.
4. Teach them about money.
Sit down with them and discuss money. Give them an allowance for their chores and deposit it into an account that you and their balance together. You can also even have a small bill for them to pay (like a subscription service or something) so they can learn about money going in and out. There are so many ways to teach kids about money, so get creative.
5. Let them get themselves ready for school.
Yet again, this is age appropriate of course, so I wouldn’t expect a toddler to be able to get themselves ready all by themselves, but you can most definitely make them a part of the process. As they get older, let them do more and more until they have the whole process down.
6. Encourage them to do things on their own.
A lot of parents are afraid to do this, but should be more afraid of what will happen if they don’t. Be supportive of your child’s development and growth. For example, if they are afraid of riding their back with training wheels, remind them of how easily they learned to use their bike and that it’s okay if they stumble a few times before really taking off. Each time you let them do something on their own, they learn confidence and grow their self-esteem.