Ask Dr. Robyn: How Can my Child be More Self Reliant?

Dear Dr. Robyn,

My daughter often seems a bit timid when it comes to doing things on her own.  She asks me to help her do things even when she can probably do them by herself.  I admit that I find myself doing many things for her. How do I get her to be more self-reliant?

–Fran B, Brick Township, NJ

In this video, Dr. Robyn Silverman explains a variety of ways we can support our children in becoming more self reliant.  Whether it’s in academics, chores, or new activities, building self reliance can be a gift to children. She fleshes out the following:

1. Support your child’s natural tendencies to become independent
2. Allow your child to be alone and do things on her own
3. Model self reliance
4. Give guidelines and choices instead of answers
5. Allow them to make mistakes

**Please give us YOUR tips too!

Here are some articles from Dr. Robyn Silverman’s award-winning “You can do it!” series that supports the notion of increased self reliance:

1. Introducing the Powerful Word of the Month: Self Reliance
2. Seven ways to teach your children self reliance and responsibility
3. Ten ways to teach children how to pack their own bags
4. Ten parts to teach your children how to do their own laundry
5. Teaching children to tie their own shoes

How do you support self reliance in your home? What chores/activities do your children do on their own?

Ask Dr. Robyn: How Can my Child be More Self Reliant? is a post from: Dr. Robyn Silverman – Child Development Specialist, Body Image Expert, Success Coach & the Creator of the Powerful Words Character Development System