Joanna Fortune: My son wants to leave the Scouts, should I insist he stays?

Dr Joanna Fortune: At some point, our children outgrow activities as their interests align with their growth and development.  

My 12-year-old has been in the Scouts for years but wants to leave. I have asked him why, and he said it's boring and that he is fed up with being told what to do all the time. I'd love him to stay as he's made great friends in his group and it has helped build his confidence. Should I insist he keeps going or accept his decision?

One of the contradictions in our parenting is how we work so hard to encourage our children to develop independence skills and make choices about what they want to do while also actively dissuading them from making decisions we know are not in their best interests. It can be a tough balance to strike.