How To Raise Independent Kids: 5 Tasks You Should Let Your Kids Do For Themselves

Many parents practice helicopter parenting, which is an overprotective parenting style. Helicopter parenting can lead to self-esteem issues as well as lack of independence. Knowing effective ways to raise independent kids and avoid helicopter parenting can help children become self-sufficient and self-confident.

A great way to raise independent kids is by letting them perform tasks. Education.com shared some of the tasks that you should allow your children to perform for themselves in order to develop their sense of independence.

1. Clothing

A 3-year-old should start learning how to dress herself. Help her with the buttons and zippers at first, but your kid will learn these in time. Kids should also be taught to leave their dirty clothes in the proper laundry basket and not just anywhere they want. During late elementary, they should already be learning how to wash their own clothes.

2. Toys

Parents should avoid putting away their child's toys after playing or resist broken and damaged toys due to the child's carelessness. A 2-year-old should learn to put her own toys away in the proper storage and understand that being careless with her possessions has certain consequences.

3. Pet Care

One of the best ways to raise independent kids is by giving them an animal to take care of. Taking care of a pet instills a sense of independence and responsibility in children. During their pre-school years, ask your kids to feed the pet or walk them outside the house with your supervision.

4. Bedtime

"Very young children rely on the structure of a set bedtime," Education.com explains. "But by age 12, allow your child to negotiate this. You can help your child make an appropriate decision about when to go to bed by setting restrictions on nighttime activities."

5. Allowance

One of the most important ways to raise independent kids is by letting them manage how to use their cash allowance. "An allowance teaches kids how to earn, save, invest, budget, delay gratification and make wise purchasing decisions," Bankrate.com shares.