A New Parents Guide To Raising Resilient Kids

Bringing a baby into the world starts a beautiful journey full of joy. However, this incredible journey has challenges and countless questions. One of the questions is how, as a new parent, you can raise a strong, resilient kid who can handle life’s ups and downs.One of the most important things you can do as a new parent is to help your child develop resilience—the ability to bounce back from setbacks and thrive in a difficult situation.

But how do you nurture resilience as one of the life skills that your little one needs when growing up? Before we get there, let’s discuss what resilience matters and why.

What is Resilience, and Why Does it Matter?

Resilience is like a muscle that keeps getting stronger through exercise. It’s what helps your kid dust themselves off after a fall, try again after a setback, and keep their chin up in the face of the challenges. A resilient kid will grow into an adult who can handle whatever life throws their way with grace and determination.

So, how do we help our kids develop resilience?

10 Tips on Raising Resilient Kids

Here are 10 easy steps to raising resilient kids.

1.Take Care of Yourself

Raising resilient kids can be rewarding, but sometimes it can be harsh on your physical and emotional health. So, raising resilient kids also requires resilience in the parents. Remember, kids become what they see in their parents. It’s also a rule of thumb that you can’t pour from an empty cup. So, as you care for your kids, take care of yourself as well.

Taking care of yourself can involve many things, like taking that long-awaited vacation, buying that item that makes you feel happy, or just taking a girl’s or boy’s day out with friends. It also means eating healthy, managing your mental health, and more. The most important thing is to never give up on yourself.

So, if the stress is getting to you, don’t wait until you offload it on the kids; get inside the kitchen and bake yourself a nice treat. You can lace it with some top-shelf CBD known for its calming effects for people with stress and anxiety. You can also make yourself a nice fruit and vegetable juice to share with your kids and relax your body at the same time.

2. Let Your Kid Play

Work without play makes John a dull boy. Well, even if your kid is not working per se, let them play—it’s so important for their growth. It’s not even about fun, but they learn more about their surroundings, which is a way of making them aware of how the world works. Even babies as young as 6 months need play. Give them safe toys, sing them songs, or just play a simple peek-a-boo.

As they grow, introduce them to pretend play, building blocks, and outdoor games. Don’t fear getting down on the floor to play together—it’s a great way to bond with your little ones.

3. Let Them Make Mistakes

Developing discipline in your child should start as early as eight months, but it’s okay to let them make mistakes too. It’s natural to want to protect your kids from failure, but making mistakes is one big part of learning. So, when your child messes up, please don’t rush to fix it or criticize them (doing this will build fear instead of resilience).

How about you use it as a chance for them to learn? Ask your kid what they have learned from the situation and what they will do differently if the same situation happens. Praise their effort and encourage them to keep trying even if the outcome isn’t perfect.

See where I’m getting at? Yes, help them see mistakes as normal and not something to fear but something to correct. By doing this, you’ll be growing their mindset, so they’ll see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.

4. Show Them How to Solve Problems

There are times when you see your kid struggle to fix something, and what do you do? Rush to help. Come on, stop, dear. Don’t wear yourself out. At least don’t help them all the time. Instead, guide them through the problem-solving process. Ask questions like, “What do you think you aren’t doing right?” or “How do you think we correct the mistake?” or “How can we avoid repeating the same mistake next time?” etc.

5. Ask Them How They Feel

Emotional intelligence is key to resilience. That means you must keep checking in with your kids about their feelings. Ask, “What did that make you feel?” “What’s going on inside your head?”

You’ll help them name their emotions. Assure them that all feelings are okay, even the uncomfortable ones. In the process, teach them healthy ways to express and manage their emotions, like deep breathing for anger or talking to a friend when sad.

6. Show Them How to Take Risk

Do you want to raise a resilient kid? You must teach them how to take healthy risks! Doing so will help your kid build confidence and learn to face challenges.

Encourage age-appropriate risks, like trying a new food, speaking up in class, or learning a new skill. Praise their bravery in trying something new, regardless of the outcome. Remember, the goal is to stretch their comfort zone gradually, not push them into overwhelming situations.

7. Allow Your Kids to Make Their Own Decisions (Sometimes)

Let your kids make choices for themselves. You’ll help them feel more in control and build confidence. Start small and let them choose between two outfit options or a bedtime story. As they get older, level it a notch. Let them decide how to spend their allowance or which after-school activity they want to join. Does this mean letting them do whatever they want? NO. Set boundaries, but within those, let them make choices and live by them as long as they are healthy choices.

8. Be Their Role Model

Kids always watch and learn from their parents. Your kid will observe how you handle stress, setbacks, and challenges and will most likely apply the same rules when met with similar emotional pressure. This is why you need to prepare them for such situations for better outcomes.

Sometimes, walk them through how you face and handle a problem. If it’s tough, try telling them the truth: “This is tough, but I’m going to try my best.” When you make a mistake, admit it and show them how you’ll fix it. Do you want to tell them they won’t learn? Your actions speak louder than words, so model the resilience you want to see in your children.

9. Take Them Out

Outdoor play helps develop physical skills, boosts creativity, and brings joy to children. If possible, take them out every day. It could be a trip to the playground, a nature walk, or just play in the backyard.

Outdoor play will teach your kids to assess risks, solve problems, and use their imagination. It also provides sensory experiences that are important for kids’ development. Plus, fresh air and physical activity improve sleep and reduce stress.

10. See How They Are Developing

Even with all these, your child’s development will not be the same as another. But it’s important to keep an eye on their progress. Learn about typical developmental milestones for your child’s age.

This includes physical skills, language, social-emotional development, and cognitive ability. Be aware of potential red flags in your child’s development. If your kid is behind in any area, don’t panic, but talk to your pediatrician. Early intervention will make a huge difference.

Final Word

Raising resilient kids is not about creating perfect kids who won’t struggle. It’s about giving them the tools they need to face life challenges with confidence. However, always remember that every child is different, so what works for one may not work for another. Use these tips to guide you. Be patient, stay positive, and enjoy the journey as well.