5 Strategies for Raising Resilient Kids

Tahir Q. Khan

The concerned parent is not just a loving parent but also a guide, a teacher and a coach. The parent has to help his children to achieve success in an unknown future. Academic skills will only help you achieve goals up to a limited degree. To be really successful one has to learn to get up again after being knocked down over and over again. A key factor is to help them develop emotional strength. In today’s ever-changing world, helping your kids develop emotional resilience is one of the best gifts you can give them. Resilience isn’t about never struggling; it’s about teaching them how to bounce back and grow stronger by facing off challenges. Resilience is a skill that can be nurtured with patience, encouragement and practice. Here are five strategies, plus a bonus tip, to help your kids build emotional strength and confidence.

1. Foster a Growth Mindset

Children who understand that it takes effort and hard work to improve. Learning that failure is only a setback and makes success sweeter. They will see that they can reverse the setback by out-thinking the problem. These children inevitably have to see setbacks as opportunities rather than failures. This “growth mindset” helps them stay positive and determined.

Encourage a Growth Mindset:

Focus on the Effort: There is no substitute for work. But don’t be discouraging. Focus on the effort rather than a complimentary adjective that soothes the ego. It is better to say things like, “That was good work!” or “Super effort, that was impressive! It is way better than “You’re so smart.”

Encourage them to Solve the Problem: Don’t solve the problem for them. Ask them to think out a way on their own. If they are struggling with a problem. You can push them to the solution by asking, “What’s another way you could do to solve it?” This helps them learn to tackle challenges on their own.

Tell Them About Your Own Struggles: Sharing stories is also a very good way to inspire and encourage. Tell them about your own struggles or a famous person’s difficulties and how he/she overcame them. Such stories can inspire and guide them.

2. Build A Foundation on Trust

The assurance that is given to the child which is based on trust gives kids the confidence to face life’s ups and downs. When they know that they are understood and supported, especially by their parents, they’re better equipped to handle tough situations and life’s rough times.

Ways For Building Stronger Bonds with Your Children:

Spend Quality Time: Giving time to your children when they are young and growing helps them develop trust in you. Even when you are busy, take out the time for a catch, teaching them a game or just playing catch in the yard. These moments help build closeness.

Don’t Judge and Always Listen: Always be available to them. Listen to them when they need to share their emotions. Let them share their feelings with you. It is a good idea to let them know that you are there if they need your support but encourage them to deal with their emotions.

Be Compassionate: If they are upset, acknowledge their feelings. A simple sentence like, “I would feel like that too” or “I know why that’s frustrating” can help a lot.

3. Train them to Control their Emotions

Managing emotions is the basis of being resilient. Kids that understand their feelings and how to cope with them are less likely to be overwhelmed by tension or their feeling. They will also know and understand other peoples’ feelings.

How to Teach Children to Control their Emotions:

Talk to them when they are sad, happy, stressed or angry. Help them identify what they’re feeling by saying, “You are very happy! Want to share ad. Do you want to talk about it?”

Show Them the Coping Tools: Teach them to be calm. For example, a good way is to talk a tense sports situation like a radio commentary, tell the kid to show his tension, then ask him to become calm by deep breathing deep or counting to ten and them throwing the ball for a touchdown, a hit or a catch.

Encourage them Express their Emotions: Encourage them to write and draw., especially their emotions. It will not only help them become better students but also know themselves. Encourage them to share what they have written with you. It can help them process and understand what’s going on inside.

4. Encourage them to be Independent and Resourcefulness

Kids who believe in their own abilities are more likely to grow into confident adults because they have learned to solved problems as young children by facing up to them and not running away. Give them the room to make their own decisions and learn from mistakes helps build confidence.

Ways to Foster Independence:

Give them Responsibilities: Age-appropriate chores or tasks make kids feel capable and involved. Whether they re taking out the garbage, cleaning their room or helping with the dishes. Don’t spoil them.

Let Them Try: Don’t help them to complete the task. Resist the urge to step in too quickly. Let them experience the satisfaction of figuring things out on their own.

Support Their Choices: You can guide them in the choices they make, to make use of your own experience in their life decisions, but make them understand that they must take ownership of their decisions.

5. Foster a Positive Outlook and Appreciation

A positive frame of mind can transform how kids see challenges. By focusing on the good in their lives, they’ll be more motivated to overcome obstacles. Ask them to be happy with what they have. Then go out and get what they want.

How to Instill a Positive Outlook and Appreciation:

Be a Positive Role Model: Share how you find the silver lining in tough situations. If as a family you are going through a difficult time or are making critical decisions, it would be the best time to involve them as they would learn about teamwork and family.

Start a Gratitude Habit: A good idea is to ask, “What good things happened today?”

Celebrate Achievements: Recognize the little successes. Helping a friend, solving a question or helping mom are all to be counted. The small victories deserve recognition. It boosts confidence and reinforces a positive mindset.

Bonus: Promote Physical Health

Healthy bodies and healthy minds go hand in hand. Physical fitness is interconnected to emotional strength.

Tips for Physical Health:

Encourage Active Play: Find activities your child enjoys, whether it’s swissing, athletics or football. Encourage them to play sports and taking up hobbies. They don’t have to be world class athletes but in todays demanding world a healthy body would make a big difference.

Sleep in Important: Make sure they’re getting enough rest to recharge their batteries. Don’t allow being up late especially during weekdays.

Teach Healthy Eating: Tell them about the food they eat and why balanced meals are important.

Wrapping It Up

Helping your kids build resilience is a marathon run not a sprint. You have to lead by example and show them how. It’s about consistently showing them love, encouraging their independence, and helping them see challenges as opportunities to grow. Remember, you’re not raising them to avoid hardships but to face and overcome them with confidence. With these strategies and your unwavering support, your child will be ready to thrive in whatever comes their way.