Self reliance

Dear Dr. Robyn, My daughter often seems a bit timid when it comes to doing things on her own.  She asks me to help her do things even when she can probably do them by herself.  I admit that I find myself doing many things for her. How do I get her to be more [...]

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How do we raise responsible children? Raising responsible children and teens is a goal we all strive to achieve. When children are responsible, they are not only able to take on more responsibilities, but they are more committed, focused, and reliable. Dr. Robyn Silverman answers one readers question; I’ve been told that my child needs [...]

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Do you see “vision” in the eyes of your child? Dr. Robyn Silverman for Powerful Words Some might say that the difference between a successful child and an unsuccessful child is brains.  Others might say talent. Still others, might realize that it may just be the vision and belief that one can set goals, go [...]

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Letters about My Helicopter Parents: Part 2

by DrRobyn on November 20, 2008

Dr. Robyn Silverman We’re continuing our discussion about helicopter parents, overprotective parents who won’t let go and hover over the heads of their children, heading off potential challenge/risk or taking over their responsibilities even as they enter their teens and adult years. This is part 2– part 1 is here. The questions for today are, [...]

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Dear Dr. Robyn: Letters about My Helicopter Parents Dr. Robyn Silverman This week, we’re concentrating on Helicopter Parents because of the number of questions and letters I’ve received on the topic lately from our readers. The letters in this series are all taken from the comments section of one of my most popular articles; “Overprotective [...]

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Cash. Coin. Coconuts. No matter what you call it, people are talking about it. Or are they? My husband, Jason, and I often discuss the strange fact that we don’t learn about managing money in school. And yet, it’s vital to existing responsibly and independently even before we graduate into the “real world.” The Facts: [...]

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Parents: Could getting your child involved in making lunch simply end up creating a mess of unappetizing foods not even appealing to a hungry dog? It doesn’t have to be! (Enjoy this short piece of nostalgia on Lilly Tomlin’s Edith Ann, creating her lunch masterpiece from Sesame Street, above.) Since the article on vending machines [...]

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Play is an important part of a child’s development. We all have seen the traditional “monkey bars,” swings, and jungle gyms. But when architect, David Rockwell, came up with a concept for a playground—he thought outside of the box. According to yesterday’s New York Times: Instead of monkey bars and jungle gyms, there are blue [...]

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Five Ways to Teach Your Children about the Value of Money By Dr. Robyn J.A. Silverman (Teach your children self reliance and responsibility!) When I was about 5 years old, my father took me down to the corner store so that he could buy a newspaper for himself and a pack of gum for me. [...]

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There has been a lot of talk over the last year about “helicopter parents,” parents who hover over their children and swoop in before or at the slightest hint of discomfort, challenge, or threat of failure. Powerful parents know that while they want their children to succeed, there is great value in making mistakes and [...]

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