My advice on raising a fearless and independent child is stick them into the fire. I say that facetiously, but it is kind of true. I've been an athlete my whole life and we were always taught in athletics, "no pain, no gain." When I took that approach with my child, especially my middle child who was always very clingy and never really wanted to step outside her comfort zone. At times, I had to really push her outside of that comfort zone. At times, I felt really bad about it because it would make her cry. I didn't want to do that, but I knew that if I did not push and make her do things, that she would not overcome that fear. Fear is destroyed by courage. The courage of doing things brings confidence and happiness.