The Rules of Parenting, 3rd Edition

RULE 25

Let them get on with it

I don’t want to panic you, but by the time your child is 18 – if not before – they’ve got to be a fully functioning adult who is wise and capable enough to make their own decisions, make their own friends, make their own life, make their own bed, and make their own way across London on the tube system. Yep, you’ve got your work cut out.

If you’re still spoon-feeding your child at 4 years old, and putting their homework books back in their school bag when they’re 14, they’re going to struggle when they have to look after themselves. So don’t do anything for them if they can do it for themselves. And that not only means tidying up and doing their homework (personally, I find that by the age of about 8 my kids can ...