I was at HIMSS22 in Orlando, Florida, last month. Michael Phelps was the Keynote speaker. He shared his childhood experience during his training as a swimmer. He spoke about the challenges and thanked his mother, who raised him to be resilient.
Resiliency– this critical skill helped him win many Olympic medals. He discussed how resiliency helped him overcome those challenges and rough days. Many attendees were curious to know if they could train their kids to be resilient? Can they make their kids mentally strong?
After attending the session and hearing the concerns and stories of parents, I decided to pen this article on “How to Raise Resilient Kids“?
We live in times where the current generation of children is experiencing a childhood like never before.
The pandemic has restricted outdoor playing, giving them less physical activity and exposure and challenges. There is a constant and distressful rise in mental health problems of young kids- says the World health organisation.
Moreover, in routine life, kids undergo many changes and stressful situations—for instance, changing schools, making new friends, exams, results, bullies, and more.
So as parents and caretakers, we have to help them overcome all this positively.
Resilience is the skill we can teach our children to help them cope with strain and adversity.
The ability to bounce back from challenging and stressful experiences. Resilient kids are confident and optimistic about finding solutions to unfamiliar or challenging problems.
Why is Resilience important for a healthy childhood?
Resilience — be it physical or mental, has never been more vital to our society than in recent pandemic times. Life will always raise disappointments or pandemics in front of our kids. And as parents, it is our duty to prepare them to face all adversities positively; else, their lives will be miserable.
According to experts, Resilience can be taught and nurtured to kids at any age. We must raise our kids on a safe and strong basis.
Six ways to raise a resilient child
Build a stable, safe foot.
Resilience is like a marathon that parents have to teach their kids each day.
To raise kids with resiliency, nurture them with resiliency from a very young age. For this, it is crucial to create a strong connection with kids. It will help parents handle their kids better.
“Our bigger job as parents is to help our kids get through hard times with support”,- said Meghan Walls, PsyD, Nemours children health.
If you want your kids to take up risks or face difficult situations, you need to give them caring and loving support to be sure to have their parents at their back and bounce back from tough times.
Give them the realisation that you love them no matter what. Make your kids feel safe and secure.
Model behaviors for your kid.
Kids learn from everything we do. So, to teach kids to be resilient, you first follow the same.
Try not to lose your temper and regulate your emotions so that your kids take an example and learn to do the same. As parents, if you are calm and consistent and admit to your mistakes, you pass on the same traits to your children.
Do not be Over Protective.
Parents want to see and keep their kids secure, but they should know the margin between being protective and overprotective.
Do not protect your children from everything, including disappointment, disagreements, and failures. Because dealing with failures turns kids into resilient and mature adults.
So, instead of being overprotective, pass on the skills to help children cope with rough situations. Teach them to seek help when required.
Teach Kids to Problem Solve
Teach them life lessons through challenges. Let them manage the situations and find solutions on their own. For instance, school projects or having meals on their own.
Could you not rush to help them first-hand? Watch your kids discover the solutions, make decisions, and trust their capabilities.
And you will see wonders. You can encourage them with small achievements.
Most importantly, never compare your children with anyone. They will get demoralised. Your child is unique and is blessed with exceptional talent and qualities.
Making Mistakes is okay.
If your children make mistakes, tell them that it’s okay. It’s a part of their learning journey.
Failures teach problem-solving skills and bring diligence. In addition, teach them how they can learn from their mistakes and avoid repeating the same in the future.
Conclusion
Parents can help children grow as happy, healthy, and resilient adults by teaching children to be resilient.
When kids face challenges, their little bodies are flooded with positive endorphins that inspire them to stand up, try again, and reach beyond if they fall.
Free play offers children a place where they can discover themselves. Children should learn through doing and not just by being told.
Please reserve a few minutes to have this honest exchange with your children. Then, let them know you love them for what they are; you believe in their abilities and hug them. Then, ask them about their role models and tell them their role models’ struggling and success stories.
Always express and seek help from parents, teachers, and friends and share challenges with others.
Acknowledgements:
Michael Phelps and Michael Phelps Foundation.
Source:
- https://www.nemours.org/well-beyond-medicine/raising-resilient-kids.html
- https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/01/parenting/raising-resilient-kids.html
- https://psychcentral.com/lib/10-tips-for-raising-resilient-kids#3
