The world can be a scary place. But as much as we may want to stick by our kids’ sides 24/7 and protect them from everything from physical danger to playground bullies, that is just not practical. Instead, it’s important to do what you can to instill in your kids the confidence to face whatever life throws at them.
Not sure where to begin? Here are some tips and tricks to get you started:
1. Allow Your Kids to Process Their Feelings
It’s hard watching your kiddo cry, whether it’s over a skinned knee or their first heartbreak. But don’t be in a hurry to wipe their tears away. It’s very important to let kids fully explore their emotions in a safe environment: rushing them through it will make them feel like negative emotions are something to hide… which will end up making them feel anxious. We can’t teach kids how to be resilient and bounce back from setbacks if we don’t allow them to fully experience the feelings that make us uncomfortable.