INDEPENDENCE

I am currently working through post-surgery limitations, which has me thinking about some of our family and cultural characteristics.

What do you think of when you hear the word “independence”?  Sometimes we think “no authority over us!”  Sometimes we think “I can do it myself!”

The truth is all of us want our kids to grow up to be independent.  We want them to be able to feed themselves, tie their shoes, make their beds, learn to drive, manage money, get a job, support themselves, live on their own, and then come back to visit us with our grandchildren.  😊

Some of that process comes naturally.  As humans, we have a desire to have “no authority over us” and so we learn to do things ourselves.  Some independence comes with intentionality.  How many of us would have learned the habit of brushing our teeth without direction from others?

Look at those around you.  In what ways should they be growing in independence?  Is there a way you can help them with their next step?  That may take some instruction and support, or it may take a firm stand on how you engage with them.