Raising an independent, strong-willed, and hardworking child is easier than you think. From allowing them to fall and fail on their own, to encouraging them with love and appreciation, these are the 4 ways you can teach your child the value of being independent, respectful, and well-mannered.
Don’t Be Afraid of Mud, Muck, and Boo-Boos
It can be hard to watch your kiddo fall and get bumps and bruises. And it is a perfectly normal response to hug, kiss, and tell them everything will be okay. But sometimes, you should strive to allow them to fail and get back up all on their own. Don’t be afraid to let your children play in the mud, get dirty, explore the world around them, and yes, accumulate a few “boo-boos.” When kids are allowed to explore, they solidify a can-do attitude.
Encourage Your Child with Confidence, Love, and Appreciation
Confidence, respect, love, and appreciation are things that come from you. Kids learn how to believe in themselves through your words and actions. And they learn appreciation, love, and respect through watching you do the same with others. Courteousness and politeness are taught at home. Teach your children how to have respect and be well-mannered towards others, but also encourage them to have confidence in their natural abilities.
Teach Them the Importance of Trial and Error
…as well as action and consequence. Independence comes with lots of tries and fails, but kids need to discover those trials and errors for themselves. When they do something and something else, either positive or negative, happens, they learn the course of action and reaction.
Help Them to Establish a Routine That Works for Them
Some parents attempt to establish a routine for their child from an early age. However, everyone is wired differently, so each person has unique needs and things that work better for them. For instance, if your kiddo has a hard time going to bed at a specific time, allow them to set their own bedtime routine within reason. Allow them to decide what would help them go to sleep, such as a shower before bed, or a chapter in one of their favorite books. Give them the freedom to create a schedule that works best for them.
You don’t have to be a tiger mom to teach your children to be independent and strong-willed. You simply need to have love and encouragement for your kids, regardless of their hobbies, passions, and interests. You could be raising the next Oakland criminal lawyer, famed worldwide artist, or president of the United States-you never know, so nurture their independence and creative flow accordingly.
