Initiative - Raising Kids Who Do Without Being Told

Do you ever feel like you're constantly reminding your child to do the same things repeatedly—pack their bag, put on their shoes, clean up their toys?

What if your child started taking the initiative, without the nagging?

You're not alone.

Most parents find themselves stuck in a cycle of constant prompting.

It's exhausting, and frankly, it steals the joy out of parenting.

But here's the good news: initiative is a skill, not a personality trait.

And like all good character traits, it can be nurtured—gently, intentionally, and early.

When kids don’t develop initiative, they learn to rely on others to tell them what to do.

They hesitate, rely on external direction, and often struggle with confidence, responsibility, and motivation.

And the truth is that these habits are hard to unlearn when they hit high school or the workforce.

That gap between what they're capable of and what they do?

That's where stress, power struggles, and frustration thrive—for them and you.

But imagine this instead: A toddler who starts putting away toys before you even ask. A school-aged child who takes out their homework packs their bag or starts helping a sibling—all on their own.

That's the power of initiative.

And the earlier you start, the easier it becomes to grow.

Research by Grolnick and Ryan (1989) shows that when children are encouraged to take personal initiative—rather than follow orders—they thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.

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