How to Raise an Independent Child

It's never too early to teach your children to be independent while being a supportive parent.

It is somehow flattering when your child relies on you for everything from washing her hands to tying her shoes, but doing too much can backfire. "You have to let your child try and possibly fail because a healthy part of growing up is falling down." says Dianne Ehrensaft, Ph. D., author of Spoiling Childhood: How Well-Meaning Parents Are Giving Children Too Much- But Not What They Need." Here are her strategies for raising self-sufficient children.

Refrain from Pampering

If you're juggling a career and family, you may tend to overindulge your children., but giving in to their every whim will make them overly dependent on you. "Parenting by guilt on't work anymore."

Assign chores

By the time children are four years old, they should be responsible for certain tasks , such as picking up their toys and folding the napkins at the dinner table. "Responsibility builds confidence."

Don't take over

Encourage children to try things on their own. "It's fine to do activities with them, but make sure they are not watching from the sidelines," Ehrensaft says. "The goal is to build independent thinking."

Source: Winona Sy (GOMESTIC)