I am all for raising independent thinkers! Just know that if you agree, you are opening all kinds of doors for some very very interesting conversations. Way before my spouse and I decided on removing our children from the Public School System, early on we decided that we did not want to raise any robots- but instead individuals who could think for themselves and come up with their own interpretations based on their feelings or understanding of a given situation, topic etc. If you follow me on Facebook I often times share what my children say to me because 1: I think it's hilarious. 2: I think that their responses are something an independent thinker would say. For instance, recently (this past weekend) my daughter asked me if she could blow dry her doll's hair? I responded, "No." She then stated, "So, I have to do it Ol' School, with a towel?" Because they are thinkers, independent thinkers, they say what comes to mind and not what I always want to hear (that's good and bad). For now, I'll deal with the headache because in the long run I will not be contributing any more robots to the world.
How To Raise Independent Thinkers.
1. Ask your child to describe how they feel or what they are thinking often.
2. Pay attention to what your child(ren) are saying. Listen to understand not to respond.
3. Encourage your child to solve their own problems. As much as we would like to " jump in" we aren't teaching them how to think for themselves.
I encourage you to ask your child more questions and engage in as much conversation as you can handle. It's not always the most easiest thing to do, especially when we all have so many things to do and to prepare for. However, in the long run, if you choose to assist your child in becoming an independent thinker- you're preparing them to take risks and not to fear being different or wrong.
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