I’m trying to figure out how to let kids make their own decisions, while still being there for guidance when they need it. I worry sometimes that I might be intervening too much. How do you encourage independence but avoid stepping in unnecessarily? Any practical tips or experiences would be really helpful.
I’ve found that giving my kids simple choices really helps them feel like they’re making decisions on their own. There have been moments when I noticed I was too quick to jump in, so I’ve started offering options and then stepping back a bit. For example, I might ask what they’d prefer to do with their afterschool time or which household task they feel up for. Sometimes, after they decide, we chat about how things went which helps them see that they can handle things on their own. I know it can feel a bit uneasy at first, especially when working in healthcare where precision matters, but letting them try and even make small mistakes builds confidence and independence 
Hey Emma, I know how tricky it can be. I used to hover over my kids all the time, trying to make sure they got everything right. I eventually backed off a bit and started letting them figure out the small decisions on their own. I remember when my kids were younger, I would give them options on which chores to do. Now that they’re older, I ask for their thoughts on how they want to handle things. I used to step in too quickly, which only made them rely on me more. I learned that letting them experience the consequences, even if small at first, helped build their confidence. It’s not always easy to hold back, especially when you worry something might go wrong. Eventually, giving them space has helped them learn to take ownership. It’s a slow process but rewarding when you see them become more independent
I started by giving my kids a choice each day. This way, they make decisions without me stepping in. I’ve seen them get better at handling things once they pick what to do on their own. It has worked well with me trying to step back and let them learn from their choices.
Hi Emma, I’ve found that simply letting my child choose from different options works well. For example, I’ll ask what task they feel like doing first and then let them decide. I try to refrain from stepping in with a solution right away. It took a little time for me to get used to holding back, but now I watch as they sort out their own ideas and learn from any mistakes. It’s definitely taught both of us a bit about patience and growth.