Independence for pre-teens and teenagers is about trying new things, taking on more responsibility, making decisions by themselves, and working out who they are and what they want to be.

Achieving independence is an essential part of your child’s journey towards adulthood.

There are many things that you can do to help your child develop independence:

  • -Show your child love and support.
  • -Respect your child’s feelings and opinions.
  • -Set clear and fair family rules.
  • -Help your child develop skills for decision-making.
  • -Give your child opportunities to practise being independent and responsible.
  • -Work through conflicts constructively.


    Key points

    • -Achieving independence is an essential part of the journey to adulthood.
    • -Pre-teens and teenagers need love, support and respect to become i
      ndependent.
    • -It also helps to set clear rules, give pre-teens and teenagers responsibility, and build their decision-making skills.
    • -Some conflict is natural. It’s best to manage it constructively.