The Top Tips for Raising Resilient Children

Raising Upstanders: The How-To Guide For Growing A Resilient Child

Raising children is an accomplishment many parents struggle with. In today’s ever-shifting social and cultural climate, teaching resiliency is more important than ever. It takes more than just willpower to make sure kids are aware of themselves and their environment, and it’s not easy to stay relevant while teaching respect and fortitude.

At the same time, research suggests that raising upstanders – children who practice leadership and resiliency – is the key to fostering a better future. So, how can you make sure your kids are growing into confident and self-aware people? Here’s a look at the top tips for raising resilient children.

Show Examples of How to Respond Thoughtfully

Making sure to teach your children the right way to respond to the world around them starts early. Teaching empathy, kindness and respect with examples taken from your own behavior and life is an excellent way to set expectations.

Talk to them about the importance of emotional intelligence and self-awareness in a variety of contexts. Tell them why responding thoughtfully to authority and other people is important. You should also show them examples of how to think critically about topics and ideas, and then talk about what to do if they have a difference of opinion.

Encourage Autonomy and Self-Empowerment

It’s important to give children autonomy: the chance to make decisions on their own and practice problem-solving skills. Giving them the freedom to make decisions will help them learn their own interests and foster a sense of independence. Allowing kids to do things on their own not only shows trust and empowerment, but also gives them an understanding of the consequences of their choices and the importance of taking ownership.

Similarly, teaching children to stand up for themselves and making sure they understand the value of their opinions is key to fostering self-empowerment. This means teaching them healthy ways to say “no” and encouraging debate while also respecting authority and their peers.

Offer Support and Guidance While Teaching Self-Reflection

If kids are scared of trying something new or understand something wrong in a conversation, it’s important for parents offer empathy but also generous explanations. Talk to them about the importance of being accountable: stepping away from blame and itself and taking ownership of one’s behavior (whether it’s wrong or right). Use constructive criticism as a chance to foster understanding and promote critical thinking. Instead of focusing on consequences, ask them why they acted the way they did in the first place and look for a solution together.

By finding ways to support and guide instead of reprimanding and punishing, you can help children discover their own inner strength and resilience.

Be There for Them When They Encounter Setbacks

It’s inevitable that children will experience setbacks, disappointment and failure at some point in their lives. As a parent, understanding how to help them through difficult times can make all the difference.

Encourage them to take a few moments to analyze the situation before reacting; remind them that a setback does not have to break them. Provide a safe environment for them to talk about what happened and how it made them feel. Ask them to think about the way in which they reacted and exchange ideas on alternate ways to respond in the future.

Conclusion

Raising children in the 21st century can be a difficult yet rewarding task. Teaching kids to embrace their emotions, practice self-reflection and problem-solving skill, and responding thoughtfully to the world around them requires continuous effort and dedication.

By showing them examples of resiliency, offering support and guidance, and being there for them during difficult moments, parents can set their kids up to become accomplished upstanders.