Independence is a wonderful thing for children. As young as 1 they want to do things on their own. You notice their independence more when they get a little older around 2 and 3. Independence should be encouraged. Let them put on their own cloths and shoes. Show them an easy way to put on their coat (put the coat on the floor face top of coat furthest away then have your child stick their hands in the sleeves and flip it over their head and they did it on their own!). Show them the proper way to brush their teeth and let them do it, And of course their is learning to go on the big kid potty (that's a post all on it's own). To help them with their independence plan things accordingly, it will most likely take three times as long to get their shoes on but they need to learn how to do it on theirs own. Plan ahead so they are not rushed. This will help them and help your sanity.
Let your child start making their own decisions I would only suggest two options at first. Example "would you rather go to the park or to the farm?" or "would you rather have peas or corn with your dinner?".
However you will notice that they can sometimes be indecisive and then they can flip flop on their answers "Farm! Park! Farm! Park!" help them make a choice and then stick with it. Especially for food if they choice peas and you make it then serve the and they then say corn, please do no go make corn. Simply and Nicely remind them they said thy wanted peas. Then you can suggest corn for another meal later. If they have a fit, let them, BUT don't give in. It will not help them and it will only drive you crazy, it will show them they just need to have a fit to get what they want.
Looking at the process at the beginning will seem endless and horrible, BUT if you let them do things on their own and hold them to their decisions in the long run you will have smart, independent, decisive children who can think for themselves and learn what they like and don't like.
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