Let Them Feel Involved

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Did you know that a vast majority of “close door” buttons in elevators have never worked? Since the ADA was passed in 1990, most of these buttons that we hurriedly mash with impatience are purely placebos.  

So the question remains... why do these buttons remain when they aren’t in service? And why do we keep pushing them even if they make no difference?  

The answer is simple. We want to feel like we have input and control in a situation.  

Our kids are no different. They want to feel involved in the household. They want to know what you’re thinking about and praying about. To a certain extent, perceived control and awareness actually contributes to creating a safer environment.  

While there are certainly areas of life that we should guard our kids from, we should also look for opportunities to demonstrate that we value their input in decisions.  

How can we value our kids input?

1. Ask what they think about certain situations, even if it doesn’t directly affect them.

2. Explain your decision-making process when appropriate.

3. Invite them to pray about certain decisions.

4. Let them take ownership over smaller decisions.

Valuing the input of your kids equips them to be strong and confident decision makers as they develop and begin to make their own independent decisions!  

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