Think it, Say it, Do it.
Perhaps one of the best gifts we can give our children is to help them see themselves as capable. Sometimes this happens from what we say, "You can do it!", "I have confidence in you." and "I'm sure you can handle that." Often it occurs because we provide our children with opportunities to try new things, to use tools, to experience situations under our watchful eye where they can test their abilities.

Spend some time asking a child what they might like to do, if there is some skill they would like to learn, some fear that they wish they didn't have. Talk about it. Give them positive reinforcement. Then come up with a simple plan to help them achieve what they have talked about. It doesn't have to be something grand. Little things accomplished make great strides in self-reliance and self-esteem.

Let a child use a key to open a door, use a sharp potato peeler to help prepare dinner, mix up something with an electric mixer or make wood smooth with a power sander. Of course, everything is done with you nearby; but let them stretch and grow and become confident! They can do it and so can you.