“the ultimate goal of all parenting should be to help our children be autonomous and competent.”
–Jessica Lahey
Here’s a link to an interesting article from the Washington Post: To raise independent kids, treat middle school like a dress rehearsal for life by Braden Bell.
In this article the author discusses his 5th child attending middle school where he is a teacher, and very clearly describes the things he will be teaching his child – indirectly and sometimes directly.
Here’s a summary of the ideas, but go check it out in full:
- Try to give the gift of perspective.
- Focus on effort, not outcomes.
- Help develop empathy.
- Laugh and enjoy the ride.