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Habits that help children become independent: 7 expert-backed tips

Contrary to popular belief, confident and self-reliant children aren't raised through strict rules or constant praise. They grow up in homes where they're trusted with small responsibilities, allowed to make mistakes and encouraged to find their own way. Here are seven everyday habits that quietly shape independent children.
Captured at: 2026-07-13 02:00:09

The Times of IndiaLife & Style

"My kids don't have phones. It’s okay being bored…": Why Novak Djokovic's approach is an important lesson for modern parents

Every parent has heard it at least once. "I'm bored." And usually, the response is the same. Someone hands over a phone. A cartoon is switched on. A tablet appears. Within seconds, the complaint is gone.But what if boredom isn't the problem? What if it's actually something children need more of?That's the idea tennis legend Novak Djokovic touched on in a recent podcast, talking about raising his two children. The 24-time Grand Slam champion shared a way of thinking about parenting that feels almost too simple for a world where kids are entertained nonstop.It wasn't about strict rules or some clever technique. It was about letting kids slow down, sit with their own thoughts, and find their own creativity instead of automatically reaching for a screen.For many modern parents, it is an idea worth reflecting on."Daddy, I'm Bored"Djokovic described a day his family spent at his parents' countryside home by a lake. "We were playing ping pong, we were kayaking in the lake... We played some football, soccer. So we had a quite active first few hours of the day," he said.Like a lot of families on vacation, they'd spent hours outside: moving around, playing, just being together. Then came the moment most parents will recognize instantly."My son just recently told me a few days ago... Daddy, I'm bored," he recalled in the podcast. After a morning that active, kids often expect something new to happen right away. When it doesn't, boredom arrives and it doesn't feel good. Djokovic didn't rush to fix it. Instead, he turned it into a conversation."It's Okay to Be Bored Sometimes"Instead of suggesting another activity or handing over a screen, he sat his son down and talked to him. "But son, it's okay to be bored sometimes," he said. He reminded his son of everything they'd already done that morning. "First of all, you had a great, active morning and you did a lot of things. When you're bored, it doesn't mean that you have to instantly take a book or a screen or anything else.Rather than filling every quiet moment, he encouraged his son to just sit with it.Learning to be alone with your thoughtsOne part of what Djokovic said really stands out, because it goes against how most of us spend our free time now. "You need to also learn how to be with your thoughts."For kids growing up surrounded by notifications, videos, and games, silence can feel strange, even uncomfortable.Most parents treat boredom like a problem to solve immediately. Djokovic sees it differently. He thinks those quiet stretches build something far more valuable than nonstop entertainment ever could.“If you're bored indoors, go outside”His advice wasn't complicated. "If you're not comfortable being bored indoors, go outdoors. Sit on a chair and have some drink and just look at the sky" said Djokovic.No expensive activity. Just going outside. Looking up at the sky. Letting your mind wander. It sounds a little old-fashioned; but it's basically how a lot of us grew up, before phones filled every spare second.Why boredom might Actually Be Good for KidsDjokovic admitted this is easier to say than to actually do. "I think that's much easier said than done. I really would love my children to be able to be okay with being bored because that's the time when you're actually most creative."When kids aren't constantly taking in information, they start making their own games, stories, ideas. Imagination tends to show up right where constant stimulation stops.Djokovic also thinks boredom gives kids room to work through feelings that usually get buried under distraction. "That's the time when you can manage your thoughts and everything that you have been suppressing by distracting yourself with your phone, with whatever it is," he said.For parents, that might be the real takeaway here. Kids don't just need to be entertained. Sometimes, they need room to think."My kids don't have phones"Near the end of the conversation, Djokovic mentioned something almost in passing that caught a lot of people off guard. "My kids don't have phones. They're 11 and 8... and that's another conversation."He wasn't presenting it as a rule everyone should follow. Every family is different, with different routines and different comfort levels around technology. But the comment naturally brings up a question a lot of parents are already asking themselves: do kids really need constant screen access, or have we just gotten uncomfortable letting them be bored?A parenting lesson that's about more than screensAt its core, what Djokovic said isn't really about phones. It's about resisting the urge to fix every uncomfortable moment. Kids don't need to be entertained every single minute. Sometimes, doing nothing is exactly what they need to be doing. So the next time a kid says "I'm bored," maybe there's no need to rush in and solve it.That empty moment might turn into a new game, a new idea, a real conversation or just a chance for a kid to find out that being alone with their own thoughts isn't something to be afraid of.In a world that rarely slows down, that might be one of the most important things a parent can teach.
Captured at: 2026-07-13 02:00:09

The Times of IndiaLife & Style

TCS reshuffles leadership across key verticals, markets

TCS reshuffles leadership across key verticals, markets
Captured at: 2026-07-13 02:00:09

The Times of IndiaMost Shared

UP horror: 16 days after wedding, newlywed woman found dead in river; family alleges dowry harassment

A 21-year-old woman was found dead in a river sixteen days after her wedding. Her family alleges her in-laws killed her due to dowry demands. The woman had returned home after harassment and left without informing anyone. Police recovered her body from the river after a search operation. An investigation is underway, and action will follow the post-mortem report.
Captured at: 2026-07-13 02:00:09

The Times of IndiaMost Shared

Lord's Test Day 4 Live Score: India on brink of historic win over England

Captured at: 2026-07-13 02:00:08

The Times of IndiaCricket

IIT Roorkee student declared Uttarakhand top performer in TERI GO4Youth Online Olympiad 2026

IIT Roorkee student Ravneet Singh has been declared the "Top Performer – State/UT" for Uttarakhand in the TERI GO4Youth Online Olympiad 2026. Representing the institute, he achieved a perfect score of 50 out of 50 in the national competition. Organised by TERI in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the University Grants Commission, the Olympiad promotes environmental awareness and sustainability among students across India.
Captured at: 2026-07-13 02:00:08

The Times of IndiaEducation

OJEE Counselling 2026 flags document discrepancy, warns candidates to correct CBSE 'RT' status: Check complete details here

The OJEE Cell has alerted counselling candidates after detecting discrepancies in CBSE Class 12 mark sheets carrying 'RT' (Repeat Theory) status. Affected applicants have been directed to correct their records or withdraw from the process to avoid seat cancellation. Meanwhile, the authority has extended the Round 1 document upload and seat acceptance fee deadline for select PG programmes until July 13, 2026.
Captured at: 2026-07-13 02:00:08

The Times of IndiaEducation

Namrata Shirodkar shares glimpses from Mahesh Babu’s nephew Siddharth Galla and Aigu’s Italy wedding celebrations

Wedding celebrations for actor Siddharth Galla have commenced in Italy. Namrata Shirodkar shared pictures of family and friends at the happy occasion. She wished the beautiful couple endless love and happiness for their future. Many fans also sent warm wishes to the newly married couple. Mahesh Babu is currently busy shooting for his upcoming film Varanasi.
Captured at: 2026-07-13 02:00:07