How can I help my child without micromanaging?

Support starts with trust. Micromanaging often comes from fear of missed deadlines, imperfect essays, or rejection. But when you take over, you rob your child of confidence and ownership. Instead, be a guide. Help create a timeline, set up reminders, and offer to proofread—but let your child do the actual thinking and writing. Encourage breaks. Celebrate effort, not just results. Ask questions that prompt reflection instead of giving directions (“What did you think of that tour?” instead of “That school seemed perfect, right?”). If you’re unsure whether you’re being helpful or overbearing, ask yourself: Is my child learning how to handle this process, or am I just trying to get it done?