Self-reliance is a trait that parents should aim at building into their children's personalities. A self-reliant child is one who is more active, independent, creative, competent and spontaneous. You are probably thinking that a confident child would show the same traits. However, there is a thin line that separates self-reliance from self-confidence. Self-reliance is a broader concept than self-confidence. While self-confidence relates to specific skills and aptitudes that an individual may have, self-reliance refers to the confidence that a person has in his inner resources to cope with any situation on his own.
 

What is self-reliance?

A person who is self-reliant is self-sufficient, is able to think and function independently, is not risk-averse and solves problems rather than worries about them. Such a person would trust his own judgement, rarely needing to consult others for advice or guidance. A self-reliant person has better control of his life and can handle any curveball that life may throw his way. 
 

Letting go

Your child will not develop self-reliance as long as you are hovering around him like a fussy mother hen. You're going to have to learn to let go. But it's going to be a but like walking a tightrope. If you let go too soon, your child may end up feeling insecure rather than independent. On the other hand, if you let go too late, you may have already made your child get into the habit of being dependent on you.