Why Children Can Sometimes Do More When We Help Them Less

Why Children Can Sometimes Do More When We Help Them Less

When adults take a step back, children can take a step forward. Find out how trust supports learning, independence and responsibility.

Helping a child is important, but that doesn’t mean doing the task for them. Sometimes it’s enough to wait, ask a question or let them choose their own approach. The result may not be as quick or neat, but the child gains an experience that a ready-made solution can’t provide. This article offers ideas for knowing when to step in and when to give children room to develop their skills in their own way.

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?

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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?

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What word best captures your idea of an ideal parent?

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

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

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

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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?

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Why trust your children more and care for them less?

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