04/19/2022
Allowing your Teen to Fail Teaches them Autonomy
Parenting for autonomy is my number one priority. More than anything else, I want to teach my children to be self-governing. To take full responsibility for their emotions and actions. To pursue a course of action they competently set for themselves; born out of confidence in their ability to figure anything out. To learn resilience in the face of mistakes and regrets.
The only way to do this, as far as I can tell, is to let them fail and fail and fail some more. The more I step back from saving them and step into supporting and guiding with unconditional love, the more they figure and figure and figure things out. When I step into an accountability role, they will come to me in a completely different way. I’m still very involved, but I’m not “driving"" in any way.
Experts have even done studies on the impact “helicopter parenting” can have on children. As a parent, you want your teen to make the best choices for their life, but what if allowing them to make THEIR choice, really is the best choice for THEIR life, even if it’s not your choice. It’s not easy. But it is rewarding when they develop the skills to succeed through their own experience.
But still. It’s REALLY NOT EASY. In the moment, I WANT to save and swaddle and hold tight and fix. But it just doesn’t work… and it doesn’t teach anyone anything. What you and I must do instead is live with that want, and not act on it, because what we REALLY want is to inspire independence by letting them freaking figure it out for themselves. It’s so hard sometimes, but man oh man, they are so incredibly capable and so very resourceful.
So let go of that control. It’s ok. If you need encouragement or support in that effort, we’re here for you. Reach out.