Help your children build resilience.

Resilience is the ability to bounce back after a setback; it is vital for the mental health of your children. Tough times could include moving to a new school or home, a breakup in the family, or even a new sibling. More tenacious children handle stress better and can cope with difficult situations. Children can build resilience through their experiences. The best way to support your child to develop this strength is by being supportive and providing a warm, nurturing environment.

Why is it a good skill for a child to develop? Resilient children can bounce back from challenging experiences, and when they do so, it builds their confidence and makes them feel capable the next time a setback occurs. Resilient children are good problem solvers and develop new skills quickly. It teaches them that emotions don’t last forever and that sadness, frustration, and anger will pass in time. They learn to face their problems head-on and avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Relationships are the cornerstone of resilience. Your child’s most important relationship is with you, their parent! This bond creates a strong, supportive and nurturing environment for your child. It gives them the confidence to explore their world and not worry about things going pear-shaped.

How can you build resilience?

1. Be supportive without solving every problem for them. Overcoming

small obstacles with your guidance will give your children the confidence to tackle big problems in the future.

2. Help your child to identify and deal with their emotions healthily.

3. Encourage your child to have another go at things when they don’t work out the first time.

4. Teach your child to be kind to themselves.

5. Praise your child when they do things well and take time each day to focus on the positive things from that day.

6. Teach your child to problem-solve.

7. Give your child some age-appropriate responsibility.

8. Create opportunities where they can challenge themselves.

9. Demonstrate coping strategies like deep breathing when they feel stressed.

10. Embrace mistakes-theirs and yours!

11. Model resiliency.

Resilience is essential to empower your child to cope with life stressors. It is impossible to avoid stress in life, but resilience is an excellent way to cope with it!