Psychologically stable children are ready for the challenges that life brings them every day. They are able to effectively solve problems , fully recover from failures and competently overcome difficulties. By helping children build psychological resilience, we arm them with the skills to solve life’s problems, both big and small.
Psychologically stable children do not show rudeness, do not suppress their emotions. They do not become stubborn and treat other people kindly. Psychologically stable children work on their flexibility, adaptability, ability to quickly restore mental and physical strength and boldly and confidently reveal their potential.
Helping a child develop psychological resilience requires a three-pronged approach: learning to change negative thoughts to more realistic ones, controlling one’s emotions so that they do not control the child himself, demonstrating examples of effective behavior regardless of the circumstances.
There are several parenting strategies, discipline methods, video books and learning approaches that can help children become stronger. This article offers ten strategies to help a child develop psychological resilience.
- Work on the formation of specific skills
Discipline should not consist in punishment, but in education. View your child’s misbehavior as an opportunity to teach him specific skills, such as problem solving, impulse control , and self-discipline . They will help the child to behave more effectively even in those situations when he is faced with temptation, difficult conditions and difficult failures.
- Allow the child to make mistakes
Allow the child to learn important life lessons by making his own mistakes . Tell her that mistakes are part of the learning process , so don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed when you do something wrong. When it is safe to do so, let your child experience the consequences of his mistakes. Talk about how to avoid making the same mistake next time.
- Prevent negative thinking
Children cannot feel psychologically stable if they engage in self-destruction, are overwhelmed by anxious thoughts or make gloomy predictions. Teach the child to be able to curb his negative thoughts , to think more realistically and even positively. An optimistic view of life’s inevitable difficulties helps children to maximize their potential.
- Help the child face his fears
If your child avoids doing things they find scary, they will never gain confidence in their ability to cope with stress. If she’s afraid of the dark or trying new things, help her bravely overcome her fears. When children successfully deal with their fears, they are able to confidently step outside their comfort zone and become even stronger.
- Allow the child to feel discomfort
Although it is natural to want to come to the aid of a child when he is in trouble, saving him from all troubles will only strengthen his sense of helplessness. If your child is upset about math homework or struggling to resolve an argument with a friend, allow them to experience some discomfort and give them the opportunity to solve problems on their own. Children develop psychological resilience when they learn to cope with their emotions.
- Focus on the formation of the child’s character
To make the right decisions, children need stable moral guidelines . Try to instill real values in the child. Create opportunities for life lessons that will systematically reinforce the meaning of your value beliefs. For example, emphasize the importance of honesty and compassion rather than winning at all costs. Children who understand the importance of moral values are more likely to make rational decisions – even when others disagree with their actions.
- Make gratitude a priority
Gratitude is an excellent remedy for self-pity and other bad habits that prevent a child from becoming psychologically stable. Help your child notice all the positive things in the world, so that even on his worst days, he knows that he has something to be deeply grateful for. Gratitude can improve a child’s mood and encourage him to proactively solve problems.
- Assert personal responsibility
The development of psychological stability involves the acceptance of personal responsibility . When a child makes a mistake or misbehaves, allow them to explain the reasons behind their behavior, but don’t allow them to make excuses. Point out if she tries to blame others for how she thinks, feels, or behaves.
- Teach the child the skills of managing emotions
The development of psychological stability requires children to be clearly aware of their emotions. You don’t have to suppress your feelings, but you need to choose healthy ways to manage them. Teach your child to cope with unpleasant emotions, such as anger , sadness and fear. When children understand their own feelings and know what to do with them, they become better equipped to solve problems.
- Demonstrate psychological stability by your own example
The best way to encourage a child to develop psychological resilience is to show them your own psychological resilience, not just talk about it. Talk about your personal goals and show your child that you are taking steps to become stronger. Make self-improvement and psychological stability a priority in life, avoid actions and deeds that psychologically stable parents do not allow themselves .
