Help your child make decisions with this five-step process
Making responsible decisions will be easier when your child takes them step-by-step. Encourage your student to rely on this five-step process:
1. Define the situation. Children can’t make wise decisions if they aren’t clear about the issues at hand. Ask your child “What’s the main thing you are concerned about?”
2. Explore options. What are some ways your child could handle the situation? Have your child make a mental list, then narrow it down to the three most sensible choices. This list-making step is essential because it illustrates that there are usually several options for solving a problem.
3. Consider the disadvantages. Have your child think about the cons of each idea. If a certain option has a particularly negative consequence, this is a good time to rule out that option.
4. Consider the advantages. Now ask your child to think about the pros of the three top choices. Does one option have major advantages over others? If so, that may be the winner.
5. Decide on a solution. After weighing the pros and cons of each possible option, your child can make a decision with confidence.
Reprinted with permission from the January 2025 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2025 The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc.