The benefits are clear.
confidence
self-advocacy skills
stronger relationships
lessened stress and anxiety
increased family connection
children taking responsibility
Confidence
If we’re solving problems for kids and smoothing the road for them, that’s actually eroding their internal belief in themselves. When children see that it’s ok to make mistakes and that there are resources they can use to problem solve, they experience true ownership of their situations. That’s where true confidence comes.
Self Advocacy
“Being able to advocate for themselves needs to be second nature,” a UT college professor told us in an interview. Self-advocacy is not only knowing how to healthfully be assertive in situations, but it’s about asking questions, finding resources, and collaborating with others. It’s an essential life skill!
Stronger Relationships
When kids have a stronger sense of who they are, they are able to form healthy bonds with others. They don’t need to be followers, or act out of insecurity. Autonomous kids aren’t completely left to their own — on the contrary, they build circles of others around them who can support as they make decisions. Autonomy looks for feedback and considers how their actions impact others around them.
Lessened stress and anxiety
Autonomous children hold a mindset that enables them to have balance and perspective in situations. They are self aware and have strategies which help them respond, rather than just react to challenges or decisions. Their confidence and resourcefulness helps them bounce back, persevere, and even thrive at every turn. Everything around them may change, but their inner peace doesn’t!
Increased Family Connections
When your children become self-motivated, time is spent simply BEING together. Conflicts are manageable, and each member feels valued and respected. Children feel MORE connected to you in a healthy way.
Children taking responsibility
When children make autonomous decisions, there’s no more blame or excuses to make. They begin to see their choices having affects on others, and owning the results of their actions. As they realize that mistakes are learning opportunities, they learn to pause and think about their next moves.