We all want to make sure that our children will be ready for the adult world by the time they grow up and take charge of their own lives. Part of that will be making them resilient so that they can be better prepared for the harsh realities that life can throw at them.
To offer some tips on how to raise a resilient child, I’ve collaborated with an Independent School in Herts to offer some pointers that you may find useful.
Inspire Independence
The degree of independence you encourage in your kids will largely change depending on how old your children are, but by giving them certain responsibilities, you can inspire them to think more independently for themselves. Support them wherever you can, but don’t control them. Helping inspire independence will give them a better chance of being able to take care of themselves out in the real world.
Problem Solving Activities
Giving your children activities which involve them finding a solution to a problem, is a great way to teach them how to trust their instincts. Try to give them ample time to figure out problems for themselves, encouraging them to try different things and build their confidence when it comes to addressing problems in front of them.
Learn from Mistakes
Part of building resilience is to allow your children the space to make mistakes, and to then learn from those mistakes. It is important that children learn that it is ok to make mistakes, and it is ok to fail. The most important thing is to take lessons from those failures and develop beyond them. It is a natural part of life, and the sooner your child learns that the better, so that they can grow from the mistakes they make.
Talk About Emotions
Being open about your emotions is a very important aspect of making your child more resilient. The more they can recognise their emotions and understand why they’re feeling a certain way will make them more adept at managing their emotions. Be open with your own emotions, ask questions and make your home a place where your child feels like they can speak openly about how they are feeling. Not only will it help them be more in touch with their own emotions, but it will make them a much more empathetic individual overall.
