Do you dream of your child doing their homework themselves, putting away their toys, and not forgetting their sports uniform?
But every time you try to give him freedom, chaos ensues: notebooks get lost, sneakers get left in the rain, and it feels like a tornado has swept through the room.
It seems easier to do everything yourself - and faster, and more reliably. But it is at this moment that you deprive the child of the main thing - the right to make a mistake.
Independence doesn't come from instructions. It grows through trying, failing, and trying again.
For example, if a first-grader forgot a textbook, don't take him to school - let him face the consequences. This is not cruelty, but a lesson in responsibility.
Yes, the teacher can make a remark, but next time the child will check the backpack three times.
The key is to gradually give him control over small things: choosing clothes for a walk, deciding which vegetables to add to the soup, distributing time between games and lessons.
Scary? Of course! But your job is not to protect him from all the bumps, but to support him when he stumbles over them.
Instead of “I told you so!” ask, “What will you do differently next time?” This will shift the focus from failure to finding solutions.
And remember: a child who learns to make decisions from childhood will grow into an adult who knows how to take responsibility for his life. And that's worth a couple of forgotten textbooks and dirty T-shirts.
Author: Igor Zur