It is evident that life is becoming increasingly demanding, with the pressures now not only falling on adults, but children as well. What once was a time where children spent their time outdoors in the sun, learning as they grow, has now become a well-oiled system where children are expected to hit high targets from the moment they enter the academic system. And that’s just it, it’s the expectations that are hefty, and leading to children struggling to cope. It has never been so important to teach your child the correct way to navigate their way through the stress life can throw at them at any given moment. While it isn’t possible to remove every obstacle or difficulty out of your child’s life, there are coping skills that you can pass on to help them manage better with stress and anxiety. This is known as resilience and is the ability to overcome difficulties in a positive way. Resilience is something that needs to be taught and modelled in order for children to practice it effectively. By doing this, you can help your child know how to navigate their emotions and what to do to make themselves feel better. To get you started, here are some tips on how to raise a resilient child.
Begin small
Most parents have an idea of what they would like to see in their child as they grow up. This could be a strong work ethic, a positive mindset or a kind and loving personality. No matter what it is, the introduction and method used to incorporate these new practices into your child’s life matters a lot. You need to understand that resilience is not something that takes a few tries to get right and practice independently. If it is something you truly want your child to possess, it will take a lot of time, effort and understanding from you to help them get there. Begin in small ways and work your way up together. Bear in mind, there will be days where your child struggles to cope, and that’s perfectly fine. Be there to help them through their struggles and give them the emotional support that they need.
Teach your child to recognise the emotions that they feel
One of the biggest factors of being resilient, is the ability to name and identify different feelings or emotions. Children that can do this are able to connect different emotions to certain strategies that help them cope with their feelings in a healthy way. For example, if your child is feeling angry in a situation, they can deal with their feelings in the correct way by removing themselves from the situation to calm down instead of allowing it to dictate how they behave and respond. Similarly, children who struggle with anxiety may turn to friends, parents or a teacher for support, just to talk out the emotions that are going through their mind. Being able to name the emotion that is being felt is an amazing start to regulating feelings. Additionally, this method of emotional management is essential when it comes to practicing resilience effectively.
Teach your child how to ask for help
Resilience does not mean your child has to support themselves through every difficult emotion. Resilience is approaching obstacles knowing that they will be able to overcome them and learn from the experience. Never should an individual feel as though this is a process that leads them to dealing with things alone. Asking for help is critical and isn’t something that comes naturally to some. Teach your child how to seek help and talk through different situations of your own where you too have needed aid. Remind them that it is nothing to be embarrassed of, and asking for help is actually key to advancing in life.
Thank you for reading.
