Freedom is a right to everyone. How many of us has it in reality?

You know that feeling when you finally let go of the bike and watch your child pedal away on their own? It’s a mix of pride, fear, and pure exhilaration!

But seriously, giving your kids some wiggle room to make their own choices is crucial for their development. They need to learn how to spread their wings and fly (metaphorically, of course. We don’t need any airborne children causing chaos). With this little freedom, they can start figuring out who they are, what they want, and how to navigate this crazy world.

Now, we know what you’re thinking – 

But wait, won’t they make mistakes and get hurt? 

Do you know how much freedom to give? 

Both are million dollars questions, isn’t it?

It’s different for every child and every family. Some may need a tighter grip, while others can handle a bit more slack. Trust your gut and pay attention to your child’s behavior. 

You have to balance out freedom with some healthy boundaries. Think of it like training wheels on a bike. You’re still there to guide them and keep them from falling too hard.

So let’s get into the benefits of freedom in parenting:

Encourages openness between parents and children:

When you give your children some freedom to express themselves and make their own choices, you’re creating a culture of honesty and transparency in your household. 

Let’s say your child comes to you and asks if they can go to a concert with their friends. Instead of immediately shutting them down, you ask them who the artist is and what kind of music they play. They tell you it’s some indie rock band that you’ve never heard of before. But because you’ve fostered an environment of openness, you feel comfortable asking more questions and learning about their interests.

if you ultimately decide that the concert isn’t appropriate or safe for your child, the fact that you had an honest conversation about it strengthens your relationship and builds trust.

Promotes healthy understanding:

When you give your kids some freedom, you’re not only promoting their independence but also building a healthy understanding between parent and child.

For instance, when your child comes home from school and tells you they got in trouble for talking during class. Instead of getting angry or scolding them, you ask them to tell you more about what happened. You listen to their side of the story and help them understand why it’s important to follow the rules and respect the teacher.

In doing so, you’ve shown your child that you value their perspective and want to help them learn and grow. And might also come to you in the future when they face a tough decision or dilemma.

Empowers children:

“Jaa Simran Jaa jee le apni Zindagi” remember the famous dialogue from the movie Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaenge? That’s exactly what we are saying.

Giving your children some freedom to explore and make their own decisions can be incredibly empowering for them. And the best part? It can lead to some pretty fun and exciting adventures!

Let’s say you take your kids to a park or nature trail. Instead of hovering over them and telling them what to do, you give them the freedom to explore and make their own discoveries. You might see them climbing trees, searching for bugs, or collecting rocks and leaves. And in the process, they’re building their confidence and sense of independence.

Incorporates confidence and discipline:

Giving your children some freedom can not only build their confidence but also help them develop self-discipline because sooner or later they realize the importance and liabilities of freedom.

How do you handle a tough situation, such as a bully at school or a difficult assignment, when your child faces it? Instead of solving the problem for them, you could give them the freedom to come up with their own solutions. Maybe you ask them what they think they should do, and then offer guidance and support as needed.

In doing so, you’re showing your child that you believe in their abilities and judgment. And as they navigate the situation on their own, they’re building their confidence and self-discipline.

Gets early exposure to the world:

Have you ever heard of the saying, “The world is your oyster”? Well, when it comes to parenting, giving your children some freedom can be like cracking open that oyster and revealing all the amazing things inside!

Giving your little ones some freedom will allow them to experience the world around them in a whole new way and at an early age. You might take them on adventures to new places, like the beach or the park, and let them explore on their own. Or maybe you’ll expose them to different cultures and customs by taking them to festivals or fairs.

As they venture out into the world, your child will be able to see, hear, and taste things they’ve never experienced before. And in doing so, they’ll learn about the world around them and become world ready.

Makes you aware of your child’s actions:

Granting freedom does not mean being ignorant of your child’s actions.

When you give your child some freedom, you’re allowing them to make their own choices and decisions. Maybe you let them choose what to wear, what game to play, or what activity to do. As they make these choices, you’ll start to notice their likes, dislikes, and quirks. And that can be pretty amusing!

For instance, when you give your child the freedom to play with their toys you might notice that they have a particular way of playing, like lining up their cars in a certain order or building elaborate towers with their blocks. It’s these unique actions and behaviors that can help you understand your child better and appreciate their individuality.

Now let’s move on to,

Tips to give your child the best upbringing with freedom in parenting:

Trust your children:

Imagine you’re a parent who wants to teach your child how to ride a bike. You can’t hold on to the bike forever, so eventually, you have to let go and trust your child to ride on their own.

At first, your child may wobble and struggle to keep their balance. But if you continue to encourage them and give them the freedom to make mistakes while assuring your forever presence, they’ll eventually get the hang of it and ride confidently on their own.

Similarly trusting your children in other areas of their life, will give them the opportunity to learn and grow. Of course, you still need to provide guidance and support, but ultimately, trust is the key to raising confident and independent children.

Introduce Independence:

Start with the basics!- let them pick their own clothes!

Yes, you read that right. Instead of dictating what your child wears every day, give them the freedom to choose their own outfit. This may seem like a small thing, but it can have a big impact on your child’s sense of independence and decision-making skills.

Of course, you’ll need to set some guidelines (like making sure their outfit is weather-appropriate or appropriate for the occasion), but try to give your child as much freedom as possible within those guidelines.

By doing this, you’re not only empowering your child to make their own choices, but you’re also encouraging their creativity and self-expression.

Stop planning your child’s day:

Instead of planning every moment of their day, try setting aside some unstructured playtime for your child. This can be as simple as setting out some toys or art supplies and letting your child explore and create on their own.

As you allow your child to be creative and independent, you help them develop important skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and self-regulation. Furthermore, both you and your child can benefit from unstructured playtime.

Let your child do their thing:

As a parent, you might want to control every aspect of your child’s life, from their hobbies to their friendships. But sometimes, the best thing you can do is simply let your child do their own thing.

This means giving your child the space to explore their interests and passions, even if they don’t align with your own. Maybe your child wants to take up a hobby that you don’t understand or approve of, or maybe they want to spend time with friends that you don’t particularly like.

While it’s important to provide your child with guidance and support, you must also respect their autonomy and let them make their own decisions. As a result, you enable them to build their confidence and independence, as well as demonstrate your trust and respect for them.

Allow them to make mistakes:

It’s natural for you to want to protect your children from making mistakes or facing failure. However, it’s important to remember that making mistakes is a natural part of learning and growth. 

When children are allowed to make mistakes, they learn important problem-solving skills and gain a better understanding of cause and effect. They also learn how to pick themselves up and try again, which builds resilience and self-confidence.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you should sit back and let your children make dangerous or harmful mistakes. But in everyday situations, try to resist the urge to step in and fix things for your child. Instead, offer guidance and support as they work through the problem on their own.

Share household responsibilities:

When you give children age-appropriate household tasks, they learn responsibility, time management, and organizational skills. They also learn the importance of teamwork and cooperation, as everyone in the family works together to keep the household running smoothly.

In addition, sharing household responsibilities with children can help to foster a sense of independence and self-reliance. As children take on more responsibilities, they develop confidence in their abilities and become more self-sufficient.

Let them take risks and assure your presence:

Your presence and trust is what matters to your child. 

Allowing your child to take risks can help them develop important skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and self-confidence. However,  It is important to remember that taking risks does not mean putting your child in danger, or taking your hands off the responsibilities but rather encouraging them to try new things and explore their limits.

Assuring your child that you will always be there for them, regardless of the outcome, you can also help build their sense of security and trust. It is important to be supportive and offer guidance when needed, but also to allow your child to learn from their experiences and take responsibility for their actions.

Empathize with your child:

Last but not the least empathize with your child. You should put yourself in their shoes and actively think judge, and react to their actions from their perspective.

This helps you understand their feelings and needs better, allowing you to respond to them in a compassionate and supportive way. Empathizing with your child can strengthen your bond with them, boost their self-esteem, and build their trust in you. Remember to set appropriate boundaries and expectations for their behavior while still being understanding and compassionate.

Finally, parenting is a challenging yet rewarding journey that requires balance and understanding. The power of freedom in parenting allows your children to develop independence, confidence, and self-esteem. By providing structure, guidance, and support, you can help your children navigate the world and build important life skills. In the process of granting independence, you are always assuring your presence and comforting them that you will always be there for them, no matter what happens.

Tips such as allowing your child to take risks, empathizing with them, and assuring them of your support can help you create a nurturing environment that fosters your child’s growth and development. Ultimately, the key to successful parenting lies in finding a balance between freedom and structure and being a consistent and supportive presence in your child’s life.