Parenting a child brings with it several decision-making moments. There are certain things that you should decide and there are things children should decide on their own to help them.

Parents want to raise self-sufficient and self-reliant adults. However, it is not a value that someone would learn in a classroom or through a book in a day. Parents should help their kids make choices and decision so that they learn to make sound judgements in their day-to-day lives.

It is very important for kids to know the right way of making a decision. Once a child knows how to come to a conclusion and make a decision, it builds their confidence and encourages healthy risk-taking.

Young kids should be encouraged to make a decision in the following ways:

1. Playtime

Parents shouldn’t try to micromanage their child’s day. Let them learn to manage their time from a young age. Let them decide their play time. Parents should, nonetheless, remind the child the number of pending tasks; tasks that need to be finished before playtime and tasks to be finished after play time.

2. Chore time

Just like play time, a child should decide his chore time as well. Chores of the day should be assigned to the child and the parent can get a timeline of how and when chores will be done. This way the child will feel in control of fun-time and chore-time. They may feel self-sufficient kids.

3. Nicknames

Parents give nicknames to their kids right from the day they decide upon a name. However, these nicknames might not stick well, especially when they are teenagers. If a parent sees that their child is struggling with his nickname, let them pick one for themselves.

4. Vacations

Parents should include their children in deciding where to go for vacations. If the choices are poles apart, talk to each other and come to compromise. This act of including your child in deciding upon a holiday spot will help your child in learning how to brainstorm and compromise.

5. Politics

Parents underestimate the potential of a child’s brain to comprehend things. Discussing politics at home exposes them to a world that is bigger than their surrounding areas. Knowing what is happening in the world will also help them empathize with people. Parents should encourage the child to have their own viewpoint and not get angry if they have a different one. Politics is the most important thing that they should decide on their own as it will help in choosing a candidate to vote when they are adults.

6. Sports

Some parents see their child to be the next cricket superstar or a hockey legend. However, if the child has no inclination towards the sport or is not motivated to pursue it, parents should not be forcing them at all. Not being able to succeed in a sport can hamper a child’s self-confidence. After exposing them to all sports, a parent should let the child decide.

7. Friends

Friends are a vital part of their growing up and a way to polish their social skills. But, not all friends turn out to be good company. Sometimes it is important for a child to learn the hard way. A parent can be there for the child, but telling them who to be friends with and who to ignore will never work.

8. Spending money

Parents can teach a lot of money management to the child by giving them pocket money. But, once you have given them their weekly or monthly pocket money, they shouldn’t keep a tab of their money. Let this be the child’s responsibility. When a parent doesn’t keep a tab or provide more cash when asked, the child eventually learns to live within his means.

A child who can take sound decisions turns out to be great leaders. Parents play a vital role in making their child and self-reliant by polishing their decision-making skills.

Related: Raising a responsible child

Recomended Blogs