Fostering independence from an early age can result in a teenager who is confident and responsible and in turn, a productive and self-sufficient adult. Summer is a good season to start. Without the daily rigors of the school calendar parents can take time to start instill these skills from an early age. Last week, I spoke with a Mom of kids ages five and six who is teaching her kids to prepare their own breakfast, a “Continental Breakfast.” This Mom set up a corner cabinet in the kitchen with cereal, Carnation Instant Breakfast, granola bars and milk and yogurt on a low shelf in the fridg, so if the kids get up before Mom and Dad, or Mom or Dad is doing early work at home, are in the shower or working out in the basement, the kids can easily get their own breakfast. This is a win/ win lesson. The kids get can get their own breakfast, Mom and Dad can do what they are doing without being interrupted, giving Mom and Dad a little freedom and the kids learn some independence that ‘they can get their breakfast and make some choices on their own.”
Look for these situations in your daily activity. If your kids have summer activities, have them pack their own bag for these activities the night before. Of course the first few times, you’ll be helping them, or checking their backpack after they have packed it to be sure they have what they need-so you aren’t burdened with going back home if they left something out, like swim goggles or the suit- but eventually them packing their own bags gets them thinking and gives THEM responsibility for their activities.
Enlisting your kids to take on tasks and responsibilities will take time initially for you to set up these situations-like the “Continental Breakfast”-and to teach them how to do them. However, the skills and independence taught will yield self-sufficiency and confidence in the daily duties of life -freeing you up to do other things- leading to many great days for all 🍎
