Navigation

Last Saturday, our family was driving to a new park. My 8-year-old wanted to help navigate. Instead of immediately setting the GPS myself, I remembered our family’s commitment to the Life-Ready approach. I handed her a simple paper map and asked, “Can you help me figure out how to get there?” She studied the map carefully, traced the route with her finger, and began giving me directions. The look of concentration and then pride on her face when we arrived told me we had a perfect opportunity to practice navigation in a low-stakes environment. ...

Last Thursday, my 10-year-old spotted the city transit map posted at the bus stop. “Can I read it?” she asked, studying the colorful lines and stops. Instead of automatically taking over, I remembered our family’s commitment to the Life-Ready approach. I handed her the map and said, “You’re in charge of getting us to the museum today.” The look of excitement mixed with nervousness on her face told me we had a perfect opportunity to practice transit navigation leadership in a low-stakes environment. ...

Last Wednesday, my 8-year-old asked if she could walk to the corner store to buy a candy bar. It was only 3 blocks away, and we’d walked there together dozens of times. Instead of automatically saying no, I paused and remembered our family’s commitment to the Life-Ready approach. I told her she could go, but I’d follow at a distance to make sure she was safe. The look of excitement and nervousness on her face told me we had a perfect opportunity to practice independence in a low-stakes environment. ...