How can I get my 3 year old to be more independant?

Question

My 3 year old son seems to be very dependant. I know I might baby him. He does not like going to the bathroom by himself, he always wants someone in there with him. He does not dress himself at all he can undress himself most of the time. We also have problems with his eating but I know that might just be a phase. But how do I help my son become more independant

Answer 1

3 year olds aren't supposed to be independent!!! They really are still babies!

I think if you try to fight this with your kid and force him to dress himself and whatnot, you might be causing more problems than you're solving.

Let him go at his own pace .... I'm sure in another year or so he will show the independence you are looking for.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Find something that your son likes and work to give him ownership of that. Here are some examples:

If you have a pet that your son is found of, ask him to give the pet one treat each day. Praise every action, and frame reminders in a loving and praising way.

Ask him to help you with your tasks. If you're in the kitchen making dinner, ask him to help grab the napkins and follow you to the table to help set it.

Tasks like these are minor and not considered independent, but they will give your son a sense of accomplishment. He'll know that he "can do it," and that confidence will go a long way toward becoming independent with other tasks.

Answer 3

Talk to him in words he can understand. Tell him he is becoming a big boy and you are very pround of how big he is getting. Try to encourge him to be dependant in one activity at a time. For example, tell him that you are so proud that he uses the potty like a big boy. Then tell him he will be a even bigger big boy if he goes all by himself. Tell him you will be glad to help if he needs you, but you want to see how big he is. Praise him for all the little things he doesn by himself. Offer him specail chorse to help also. Example: Tell him he is such a bug boy and a good help and you have decide to give him his own big helper chores to do. Start with something easy like putting the silveware on the table or putting away his socks when you fodl clothes. He's love the praise for these little things and eventually will want to be more big kids stuff. And don't foget, it's not your fault. We baby kids because we love them. Now love him into a big kid.

Answer 4

You need to take your own advice...don't baby him!! Although he may seem to still be your little baby...he needs to start doing these things on his own. I love my son to death & i baby him all the time, except with the things he should be doing on his own....it doesn't make you a horrible parent. Is he in preschool?? My son is about 31/2...he goes to the bathroom by himself, pulls up his own pants when he's done...if he goes poo then he calls me and i help him clean up...but he eats on his own....he can dress himself for the most part, he needs help with his shoes. He brushes his own teeth....your child needs to start doing these little things now. Or else he will never grow outta the phase. My son is in preschool....and they are suppost to know a lot already. You need to step back, although its very hard...my son used to want me to go into the bathroom with him too....but i just stopped doing it. He got the point and now he doesn't even ask.....you have to stand firm, it won't get done unless you make it happen.

Answer 5

Give him time. He will be big and independent for the bigger part of his life. Enroll him in pre-k next year that might help. Until then just ease him into stuff, he is just a baby after all.

Answer 6

yes he can be more independent just a little.My one year old is.he needs to be potty trained.u just have to be consistant. Start being a little more stern but yet still understanding.like feeding himself just set everything up and put it in front of him and walk away to see if he eat alone.I do it w/my one year old and he does it.little stuff and he'll enjoy doing things alone.

Answer 7

Ask him his advice on things and acting on his advice/recommendations.

Example:

Sam, which of these pants would you like to wear? (he chooses) Okay, let's put the others away. (you put the non-choosen items away and you put the ones he chose on him).

You can do this for many things...food, etc.

This way, he knows he has choices, can make decisions by himself.

There are other ideas, but I'm out of room!

Answer 8

Start by asking him to help you out with different things ie. picking up his toys and throwing trash away. The more he helps the more he may want to start doing things on his own to feel like a big boy!

Answer 9

Tell him to act his age and get a job.

Answer 10

When you figure it out let me know!!!!