Sterling Terrell

smart ideas from books (mostly)

  • Home
  • About
    • My CV
    • Books
    • Series
  • Newsletter
  • Advertising
  • Tools
You are here: Home / Potpourri / 6 Ways To Encourage Autonomy In Your Children

6 Ways To Encourage Autonomy In Your Children

6 Ways To Encourage Autonomy In Your Children

Here are 6 ideas to encourage autonomy in those kids of yours.

I mean, we all want independent kids (eventually), right?

I know I do.

1. Give them a choice.

Give them mountains of (inconsequential choices) on everything under the sun. Chocolate or vanilla? This blanket or that one? Red dress or pink dress? Bath before or after dinner? Get it? It’s good practice for making decisions that will have a bigger impact as they get older.

2. Be empathetic.

Being empathetic to the plight of children is harder as we age, isn’t it? You know many of their worries are small. But for that season – for that time – Jenny being ugly at recess feels like the end of the world. Just be with your child in that moment.

3. Don’t over ask.

You can be interested. Just don’t exasperate them. I got caught in this last week. My daughter wanted to sell something (similar to a lemonade stand) and I began asking questions about things she might not have considered. I think all I did was take the joy out of it.

4. Don’t over answer.

It’s ok to let them struggle with a problem or idea. To get my kids thinking, I often answer their questions with: “I’m not sure. What do you think about that?”

5. Encourage exploration.

If they have a question about building bridges and you know someone who is a civil engineer, encourage a conversation.

6. Keep hope alive.

Teach them resilience. Teach them grit. And don’t extinguish that gleam in their eye (like your parents probably did to you).

To Encourage Autonomy 1. Let children make choices. 2. Show respect for a child’s struggle. 3. Don’t ask too many questions. 4. Don’t rush to answer questions. 5. Encourage children to use sources outside the home. 6. Don’t take away hope.

-Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk (Amazon)

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: PotpourriTagged With: #Independence, #Parenting

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy Policy

Connect

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Free Weekly Newsletter:

Search

Top Posts

  • The Tricky Lily Pad Riddle (You Probably Can't Solve)
    The Tricky Lily Pad Riddle (You Probably Can't Solve)
  • Another Great Riddle For You To Try
    Another Great Riddle For You To Try
  • Can You Solve The Bat And Ball Riddle?
    Can You Solve The Bat And Ball Riddle?
  • God Gives Job Double Everything, Except This?
    God Gives Job Double Everything, Except This?
  • Instabooks 286
    Instabooks 286
  • Economics 101: Rosy Scenario Policy
    Economics 101: Rosy Scenario Policy
  • Instabooks 32
    Instabooks 32
  • Instabooks 169
    Instabooks 169
  • Statistical Questions: This Is One of My Favorites
    Statistical Questions: This Is One of My Favorites
  • Hyatt Hill Country Sunday House
    Hyatt Hill Country Sunday House

Supporting = Loving

Recent Posts

  • Ship More Projects
  • Few Days And Full Of Trouble
  • Father’s Days Days Are Swim Days Swim
  • Random Thoughts – 344
  • Creative Forces Converged
  • When Laughing Is More Contagious
  • LubbockJobs.io
  • Instabooks 363
  • Random Thoughts – 343
  • From This Sun And A Cold Drink
  • The Psychology When Midlife Crisis Hits
  • Smoke Eaters
  • For The Elite See It And
  • Random Thoughts – 342
  • Austin Kleon, A Note To Graduates
  • Example Of Writing Material
  • The Rule Of I Before E
  • He Silently Sits And Sleeps
  • Random Thoughts – 341
  • Martin Mull
  • Early Retirement In One Lesson
  • On Being Consistently Good
  • And The Last Heart Will Weep When
  • Random Thoughts – 340
  • Fundamentally A Loner

Copyright © 2022 · Generate Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in