Pro tip: let your kids 'fail' at something

Dec 17·1 min read

So my son wanted to build a birdhouse for his school project. My first instinct was to basically do it for him and make it look amazing. Instead I just handed him the materials and let him go. It's... not great. Crooked, nails are wonky, one side doesn't even close properly. But his face when he finished it? Priceless. And honestly? That's the birdhouse going on the shelf, not the Pinterest-perfect one I could've made. Feels like he actually accomplished something.

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Comments(6)

RRay C.RegularDec 17

This is going to sound harsh but a lot of dads do the perfect project thing because THEY need their kid to look good, not because the kid needs it. Self-awareness moment reading this

TTom R.RegularDec 18

This is honestly one of the most underrated parenting moves. Letting them actually fail (safely) teaches them so much more than a perfect birdhouse. Did it end up looking rough or did he surprise you?

DDale J.RegularDec 19

Did he feel proud of it even if it wasn't perfect? That's the real win here - the confidence boost of doing something himself. The birdhouse quality matters way less than that

RRob K.RegularDec 20

I did the opposite with my kid's project and honestly kinda regret it. Helped too much, ended up being "our" project instead of his, and he didn't learn anything except how to let dad do the work. This post is making me rethink that approach

TTerrence J.RegularDec 19

How imperfect are we talking here? Like crooked nails or genuinely structurally questionable? Either way the lesson is the same but curious where the line is for you

MMitch R.RegularDec 20

The instinct to fix it for them is so strong though. Takes real discipline to just step back and let them struggle. Respect that you actually did this