On a mission

How do you teach your children independence? How do you help them gain their confidence?

You send them on missions.

First it might be to go wash their hands at the sink in the coffee-shop. Then it could be buying a cup of tea for you. You increase it little by little until it becomes something like go find a job.

You need to stretch their capabilities bit by bit to ensure they grow not only in body and mind, but with street-aptitude. You can't be buying food for a 10 year old boy, or carrying his bag around for him. Remember that soldier who got his helper to carry his backpack. My goodness.