How do we balance between letting our kids make decision vs us adults saving time and making the “right” decisions for our kids? When is the right age and how do we do that?

Parents shouldn’t give their children full responsibility for decisions that are too complex. Instead, parents should gradually let them make more complicated decisions as they grow up.

Doing so will prepare them for adulthood and will boost their confidence.

There are many benefits to giving your child age appropriate decision making that begins at a very early age:

1. Boosting your children’s self-esteem

When you openly and generously offer a variety of choices for your child to make, they grow in confidence. This cultivates an environment where children gain the tools necessary to tackle their own decisions as adults.

2. Less tantrums from your children

It’s easy to understand why toddlers throw tantrums. They want control over their lives—and gain a sense of empowerment knowing they can influence the world around them.

Babies don’t throw tantrums simply because you served breakfast in a different bowl than what they’re used to. Rather, the root of it all is the feeling that their power isn’t enough.

Giving kids a sense of independence and the power to make some decisions even when they are small is important for preventing tantrums and keeping them under your control.

3. Giving your children a sense of self-worth

Teaching children to think for themselves can be a challenge for many parents. We often overlook the idea that kids may come up with better solutions than we do. One way to teach our child self worth is by asking them what they would like, instead of telling them how we would like it done

Family decisions should never be made without a child’s input. Letting your kids know that their opinion matters will reinforce this practice in the future, strengthening family relationships across the board and teaching age appropriate decision-making skills in much younger children. The important part is ensuring that your little ones know that we as adults appreciate their input.

As long as we put ourselves in their tiny shoes and think more about them as little young adults, they would act and react more and more like one quicker than we know.