How To Raise A Resilient Child

 

We all want our children to be able to tackle challenges head-on and bounce back from setbacks, but resilience is something that has to be learned rather than something we’re born with. Your child will inevitably face many obstacles to reaching their goals or getting things they want, and as parents it’s our responsibility to teach our children how to respond in the face of adversity. Read on for some tips from an independent school in Edgbaston on how you can work to raise a resilient child. 

 

Don’t over-accommodate

 

We can unwittingly hinder our children’s independence by attempting to solve problems for them. Try to resist the urge to jump in and ‘save’ your child when you see them struggling with something. It’s hard because our natural instinct is to make sure our children are safe and happy, but they’ll never learn what they’re capable of if we accommodate their every whim or try to rescue them too frequently. Give your child the time and space to try to figure things out themselves, while of course providing support and encouragement; this will give them the chance to solve problems and overcome obstacles independently, which will boost their self-esteem and confidence when it comes to tackling new challenges. 

 

Encourage small risks

 

Of course, you want to keep your child safe, but eliminating all risk in their life robs children of the opportunity to develop resilience. It’s important to allow and encourage appropriate risk-taking so your child has the chance to develop essential life skills. As much as you might want to protect them, giving them age-appropriate freedom to take small risks will increase their confidence in themselves, making it more likely they’ll face obstacles head on rather than retreating. These small risks could be as simple as encouraging them to put their hand up more in class or talking to someone new - overcoming these small hurdles will build your child’s self-esteem. 

 

Keep things in perspective

 

Next time your child faces a disappointment or setback, encourage them to look on the bright side and identify the opportunities for learning and growth in the situation. Remind them of the bigger picture and encourage them to keep a sense of perspective. Of course it’s okay to feel disappointed or frustrated, but developing a habit of finding the silver linings in challenging situations will help your child approach life with a positive mindset, which is an important element of resilience.