How to Encourage a Teen's Independence

You've spent years looking after your children, but you realize the time will come for your children to leave the nest. Teach them your morals and beliefs. Then foster their independence while still being there to help with decisions. Follow these tips to encourage a teen's independence.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Put your teen into sports. Teamwork is a great way to foster self-esteem and independence. Teens learn how to get along with others and how to voice their opinions among their peers.
2. Encourage teens to join a group that doesn't involve you. Teens learn how to survive outside the family unit and gain your trust.
3. Teach kids how to do things around the house. Show them how to use the washing machine and dryer. Teach them how to cook. They will need these life skills later.
4. Insist that teens own up to their mistakes instead of you always saving the day. Get them to pay for things they break and apologize to people they hurt.
5. Get teens to make their own lunches and to clean up after themselves. Let them get up for school with an alarm.
6. Teach your teens about safety. You have been telling them to be careful all their lives. Make sure you explain why they need to do things a certain way. Teach them how to drive safely, cook safely and live safely. Then let them try things on their own.
7. Let teens make mistakes as long as they are safe. We all learn from mistakes and sometimes we need mistakes to find the right way to do something. Teach them how to problem solve instead of solving all their problems for them.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient. They might not seem like they are listening but they are.
• Some independence doesn't mean complete independence. They still need help making decisions.