How to Give Your Child More Room to Make Their Own Decisions

How to Give Your Child More Room to Make Their Own Decisions

Not sure how to encourage independence without leaving your child to fend for themselves? Here you’ll find practical advice and games for everyday life.

Start small: choose a task your child can manage with the right level of support, and agree in advance what they’ll be responsible for. Rather than correcting them straight away, ask how they’d like to approach it and what they might do differently next time. This helps them learn to plan, assess the outcome, and ask for support. The practical tips in this article help you build trust into everyday moments at home, without putting pressure on anyone to be perfect.

Interested in this topic? Read more: Trust your children: Key skills for their independence and your well-being Want to find out where you stand personally? Take a short test at the end of the page and gain a better understanding.

How does this apply to you? Choose the answers that describe you best:

Imagine that your child wants to build a sandcastle and you know it will collapse. What will you do?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

Which of these images is closest to you?

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Your child is not telling you the truth. What do you feel first?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

What word best captures your idea of an ideal parent?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

Imagine your child tells you, "Leave me alone, I can do it myself." Your reaction?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

In which space would you let your child explore the world alone?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

How would you react if your child made the same mistake three times in a row?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

What bothered you the most about your parents when you were a child?

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If you were a tree, what kind of relationship would you have with your fruits?

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If your child failed publicly, what would you do first?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

Why trust your children more and care for them less?

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