It's easy to forget that these little people we're raising need to become independent decision makers someday, so why not dish out what they're ready for? When my husband and I have a different plan in mind and our kids are up to the task at hand, we offer age-appropriate alternatives for them to choose from and commit to rolling with it. That way, they're given opportunities to develop critical thinking and ownership skills, and we're freed up to focus on the bigger parenting fish that need frying.