Self-reliance is a hugely important trait for people throughout their lives. Being able to rely on yourself when facing troubles and feeling you have the strength and tools to work on issues is crucial for life. Along with many traits and skills, this attribute is strongly shaped by childhood experiences. As a parent, your role is to help provide your kid with the best chances to develop traits such as this, and here is some advice for how to go about this.
Encourage a Discussion to Solve Their Issues
As a parent, it can be tempting to want to solve any troubles your little ones face and fix any issues they are having as quickly as possible. Of course, you can use your judgment here, and if there’s something that can or is having a severe impact, then stepping in may be the most appropriate choice. However, if there are less pressing matters then this is a great opportunity to encourage their input into the situation. Ask what they feel might be some good ways to resolve the problems, and try to incorporate their thoughts when solving the issues.
Show Respect for Their Thoughts and Ideas
Whatever the situation, if your child has offered some thoughts on the matter then it’s important to show that you are listening and take their opinion seriously. Of course, you don’t want to encourage ideas that aren’t helpful but always show that you are listening and are respectful of their contributions. This will help to show them that they have the power to help themselves, and gradually they can build on this skill more.