“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.