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With the media throwing words around like “lawnmower parenting” and “the snowflake generation” like they are going out of fashion, many of us are now wondering how we should be raising capable children in what has become a very over indulged world.

If I’m totally honest, it’s something that I worry about a lot. We have become so used to doing so much for our children, and of course there is SO much pressure to do so much for our children, that it really does feel like it takes some concerted effort when it comes to raising capable children – which in itself seems absolutely ludicrous doesn’t it?

That’s why today on the blog I have a Q&A with Jane Nelsen, Kristina Bill, and Joy Marchese – authors of one of my favourite parenting books of late – Positive Discipline for Today’s Busy (And Overwhelmed) Parent to help us better understand how we can raise capable children and what we need to do as parents to make that happen:

Raising capable children? Or doing the opposite…

It may be hard to believe, but you can be discouraging to your children in the name of love. Misguided love leads to over protection, which reduces children’s ability to develop a belief in their own capability. Doing things for children that they could do for themselves invites them to believe, “Love means getting others to do things for me.”

“So,” you ask, “am I to allow my child to suffer when I can help ease her struggles?”  You should never “make” your children suffer, but allow them to “suffer” as they struggle to get dressed, help bake the cookies—or go without their football gear that they forgot to take care of. Actually, true suffering occurs when children grow up without developing a sense of capability, confidence, and the joy of contribution. Allowing them to suffer doesn’t mean withdrawing empathy and support.

We advocate not doing anything for a child that they can do for themselves (even though it may be more efficient to do it yourself during the morning rush). Instead, take time for training to teach them how to make their own bed, scramble eggs, and tidy the front room.

When children “suffer” a little they learn resiliency as they experience that they can handle the ups and downs of life. Through this process they develop skills, capability, and faith in themselves.

The importance of making and accepting mistakes

Do you sometimes fall into the trap of wanting to make kids “pay” for what they have done because you believe that is how they learn from their mistakes?  We encourage parents to value mistakes as wonderful opportunities to help their children learn in an atmosphere of support instead of blame and shame.

This is how they learn important life skills and to focus on solutions instead of blame and excuses.  This invites them to feel empowered, curious, brave, and it’s what ultimately builds their resiliency. In this kind of supportive atmosphere, they can learn the sound judgement that comes from taking risks, facing problems, exploring solutions, and learning from the results.

Ultimately, a parent’s job is to teach, guide, and encourage, and then to let go in loving ways.

Conscious irresponsibility and raising capable children

Parents sometimes spend endless energy and time being responsible for their children. They set their alarm clocks for them, shake them out of bed in the morning, issue incessant reminders to get dressed, eat breakfast, find their shoes, pack their backpacks, and grab their lunch, and still they find themselves driving children to school because they missed the bus.

It’s a good system for the kids (at least on the surface). However, children aren’t learning self- discipline and motivation and often become discouraged about their own competence, while parents are becoming cranky, frustrated, and resentful.

To be consciously irresponsible, let children know what they are capable of doing on their own, and then don’t do it for them. Don’t set the alarm clock, don’t remind them to get dressed or eat. Allow them to experience being late and hungry. They won’t starve. As they experience natural consequences, they may choose to be more responsible themselves.

When they realize, you aren’t going to hover with reminders, and you will validate their feelings when the teacher lowers their grade, they will likely start to value their growing skills and confidence. They will discover their personal power in a positive way.

The importance of letting go

Watching your children suffer is usually harder for you than for your children. You may feel guilty and sad as you watch your child cry when she can’t have the toy she wants. However, she will probably get over her disappointment while you are still feeling bad. Many parents are still upset about a fight between their child and a friend long after the friends have gotten over it and are best friends again.

It might help if you remember that your suffering through difficulties are helping your child develop her “disappointment muscles”—which will be helpful as they navigate through all the ups and downs of life.

Tools and strategies or raising capable children

We could write a whole book to answer this question. Oh, we have. 🙂 Positive Discipline for Today’s Busy (& Overwhelmed) Parent is filled with parenting tools for just about every challenging situation you can imagine.

Most parents are surprised and pleased when they learn that these “tools” are base on universal principles that also work very well in the workplace and with your partner.

All of the tools are respectful to child and parent, leaders and team members, and mommies and daddies because they are based on the basic principles of treating everyone with dignity and respect, connecting before correcting, focusing on solutions, and celebrating mistakes as opportunities to learn. You could say that all the tools are designed to create encouragement in all relationships.

Parental guilt and overwhelm

Children absorb the stress and unhappiness of their parents.  For instance, if parents believe pursuing their professional goals by working and not being with their children all the time makes their children suffer, chances are they will feel guilty.

That guilt may make them feel stretched to the limit as they try to compensate for being absent.  They may consequently choose ineffective parenting strategies such as giving in too much, pampering, rescuing, and rendering their children incapable by robbing them of opportunities to contribute and to solve their own problems.

If on the other hand, parents feel happy about their decision to work, understand that working gives their children a great opportunity to feel capable by being needed, and provide guilt-free love when they are with their children, everyone will feel a sense of love (belonging) and significant (responsible and capable).

And, there is one tool that is essential. Give up any attempt at perfection.   The huge benefit of giving up perfectionism is that much of the guilt and feeling of overwhelm goes away.

A pep talk on raising capable

Your children will feel your attitude more than anything else you do. If you are happy practising encouraging parenting tools, they will absorb this attitude. If you are feeling guilty, they will feel the unease and usually learn to push your “guilt buttons”.  Develop and attitude of gratitude. Remember to schedule special time and have fun with your kids.

Final words

Self-care is essential to be able to have fun juggling a busy (and sometimes overwhelming) schedule. And yes, juggling can be fun. To make sure you have the kind of energy and attitude required, we cover many ideas for taking care of yourself in our book.

Well I hope that advice on raising capable children was useful. I’d love to hear your thoughts on raising capable children in a comment below.