🌱 Want to protect your child’s mental health? Let them do more on their own. When kids are trusted with age-appropriate freedom—like walking to the park, biking to a friend’s house, or managing small responsibilities—their brain learns: 💪 “I can handle challenges.” 🧠 “The world isn’t as scary as I thought.” 💛 “My parents believe in me.” Overprotected kids often feel unsafe even when they are safe—because they’ve never had the chance to prove to themselves that they can cope. So start small: