Raising Resilient Children

Adapted from article contributed by Audra Stewart-Gordon, Community Health and Communications Coordinator

Parenting is a challenging and rewarding journey filled with opportunities for personal growth and reflection, especially when aiming to raise successful, resilient, and well-rounded humans. Using strategies that create a supportive environment focused on personal success helps children thrive and stay balanced and resilient in the face of challenges.

As parents, we have the wonderful chance to shape our children's experiences by providing a mix of opportunities and challenges that promote growth. Every action we take and every word we choose impacts our children’s development and well-being. We must balance the urgent needs of the present moment with our child’s future health and immediate behavioral or educational decisions with considerations for our child’s long-term growth and emotional health. This balance includes supporting and advising while also giving children room to make mistakes and learn, which builds resilience and independence.

Fostering independence means guiding our children as they face challenges, not leaving them to figure everything out on their own. Instead of solving problems for them, ask what they think could be done. Discuss these options together, then allow them to choose. This helps them think critically and make decisions, which are important life skills. Supporting their independence without pushing our own expectations reduces the pressure for them to match our achievements.

Celebrating Individual Success: Honoring Unique Journeys

Every child's path is different, and success means different things to each one. It's important to support their growth and celebrate the milestones they reach based on their interests. Whether they do well in the arts, sports, or school, acknowledging their hard work is key to their development. Celebrating their achievements and interests, regardless of the area, enhances their sense of accomplishment and boosts their self-worth. This helps them build a positive self-image and strong confidence, which are important to their continued growth and success.

Encouraging Social Skills: Building Interpersonal Success

Social skills are just as important as academic or individual achievements. Activities that require teamwork, like group projects or sports, are excellent for developing empathy - the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, as well as strong communication and collaboration skills. These skills are essential for building lasting relationships and succeeding in diverse environments. They also provide a counterbalance to the pressure to succeed by offering a way for personal achievement, which is just as important.

Modeling Emotional Intelligence: Leading by Example

Children learn by observing us. Showing them how to handle emotions and stress in healthy ways helps them to develop important coping skills. When facing challenges, describe how you think and strive to manage tough situations and feelings calmly and clearly. This will help them manage stress and understand that success includes handling emotions wisely, not just reaching goals.

Raising children to be capable, confident adults goes beyond providing material support—it involves guiding them to think critically and wisely, face challenges courageously, and forge their unique paths with confidence. These strategies not only build resilience but also empower children to navigate life's complexities with grace and strength. As we teach them these lessons with open hearts and minds, we prepare them to succeed in whichever paths they take.

For more tools to support resilience, visit https://strengthenme.com/wellness-resources/