10 Things Parents Should Let Go of in Order to Raise a Mature Child

There are different areas of maturity: emotional, physical, moral, social, and intellectual. They are all really important in children’s lives in order for them to become independent and responsible people who have their own opinions and who are ready to help others. And you can help your child to develop all these qualities and prepare them for adulthood.

We at Bright Side are ready to tell you about some simple ways you can change your kid’s life for the better and make them feel more free.

1. You can help your child develop self-reliance.

It’s better not to do everything for your child. They must learn to dress themselves, tie their own shoelaces, and pack their backpack for school. Of course, you can do it faster and with more skill, but you should be patient and wait for your child to figure it out themselves. You may not always be there to help and they should know that they can rely on themselves.

2. You can give your child an opportunity to choose for themselves.

Let your child make the choice. You should not be choosing clothes, toys, and hobbies for them, or deciding what they like and what they don’t. You can help with advice and discuss their choice with them. But you can’t think that you know better than them when it comes to what they want. They know this themselves, you just need to give them the opportunity to get what they want.

3. You can let your child go alone.

There is no need to follow your kid everywhere. As they get older, they can go to school alone or take the school bus. Of course, if you take them yourself, you will feel calmer and you can be sure that the child has definitely reached their destination. But at a more conscious age, children already know safety rules and understand how to behave on the street. In addition, if they are in the company of friends, let the kids go together and discuss their homework and new toys along the way.

4. You can teach your child self-control.

Of course, children are very emotional. They can be madly happy or cry so loud that it will be heard down the street. The joy is wonderful, but if, at the slightest disagreement, the child begins to shout furiously and throw a tantrum, they should be shown how to control their emotions. The child needs to be sensible to what is happening. And if you indulge every scream, then they can get used to getting everything this way.

5. You can teach your child self-discipline.

The child should learn to discipline themselves and do the necessary things, even if they aren’t related to playing and fun. Brushing their teeth before bedtime, putting toys away, and doing their homework are all an integral part of a daily routine. And without controlling what they do, let them do the homework themselves and just remind about cleaning their teeth.

6. Let your child answer.

It’s necessary to give your child an opportunity to speak for themselves. This is important for both their intellectual and communication skills. The child shouldn’t be afraid that someone might ask them something. They should learn how to answer questions and develop a response to spontaneity. Otherwise, they can become shy and closed off from others.

7. You can explain cause and effect to your child.

Explain your actions to your child. If you scold them, be sure to say for what and tell them what they are guilty of. It is important that the child realizes their mistakes and draws their own conclusions. They should understand that their actions can lead to certain results. And try to stay calm when explaining to them why it’s better to behave and the reasons for it.

8. You can let your kid make mistakes.

Try not to patronize your child excessively. Of course, it’s worth explaining things that can be dangerous to their life. But you can give the child their freedom when it comes to other things. This will allow them to learn from their mistakes and to gain their own personal experience, which will then be useful in the future. Remember that mistakes, falls, and disappointments are all a part of life.

9. You can help your child form their own opinion.

It’s useful to develop the child’s ability to reflect and critically look at a situation, and to formulate their beliefs based on their understanding and feelings. It’s also important to let them express their opinion. This will help them to not succumb to jokes from their peers or act in strange and bad way just to prove something to others. And in the future, this person will be able to maintain their position and won’t fall under someone else’s influence.

10. You can try not treat your kid like they’re little all the time.

When your child turns 3 years old, you can slowly get them used to performing some duties. They can arrange their toys in place, for example. And as they grow, expand the list of their household chores. This contributes to their development and instilling diligence and discipline. This also can teach them to help others and to respect other people’s work.

Which methods do you use when raising you children? Do you try to make your child more mature? We would like to hear from you in the comments.