Children who are mentally strong are better equipped to handle life's obstacles. Mental strength does not involve putting on a tough front or repressing emotions, nor does it involve being unkind or rebellious. Instead, mentally strong children are adaptable and possess the bravery and self-assurance to achieve their goals.

No matter how badly you want to protect your children from pain, experiencing adversities and problems in life is inevitable. It is something that they are bound to experience at some point in their lives. As a parent, you can take steps to help cultivate mental strength in your children so they grow up ready to face whatever challenges life throws at them.

Tips for Raising Mentally Strong Children

Teaching children how to cultivate mental strength is not about preventing them from shedding tears or pushing them beyond their limits consistently. Instead, it is about equipping them with the necessary social and emotional abilities to thrive as responsible adults. Here are some tips you should follow as parents if you want to raise children who are mentally strong.

Make it a family goal to prioritize your mental health.

While many parents emphasize the significance of physical well-being for their children, few discuss the importance of mental health. Prioritize building mental resilience as a family by participating in mental strength exercises. You may also openly discuss the advantages of instilling mental strength. In addition, it is important to acknowledge that sometimes professional help may be required. Asking for help from a therapist near me is not something to be ashamed of. Remind them that seeking the guidance of a therapist can assist in maintaining good mental health and is never a sign of weakness.

Set and enforce positive behaviors.

It is natural to feel inclined to give in when your child is throwing a tantrum or whining, especially when you're feeling drained and short on time. However, every time you give in to their demands, you are teaching your child that misbehavior is an effective means of getting what they want. To raise children who are mentally strong, it is important to enforce boundaries and adhere to them. Teach them that they have the ability to manage their emotions and find healthier methods of coping with their discomfort.

Encourage an open discussion about feelings.

Research indicates that 60% of college students feel academically prepared for college but lack emotional preparedness. Most of these young adults express a desire for their parents to have invested more time in teaching them how to handle uncomfortable feelings such as anxiety, loneliness, and disappointment. Parents typically only mention basic emotions like "happy" or "sad," failing to delve deeper into complex feelings. As a result, children are not taught how to identify and cope with their emotions. To address this issue, it is important to incorporate emotional vocabulary into daily conversations. Acknowledge and express your emotions, and encourage your children to do the same. Discuss how emotions influence decision-making and proactively educate them on healthy coping mechanisms.

Practice building problem-solving skills.

As parents, it is easy to want to solve all of our children's problems for them. However, it is a big help if you provide opportunities for them to develop and hone their problem-solving skills. Avoid the temptation to immediately step in and solve your child's problem for them. Encourage them to develop their own solution and allow them to learn from their mistakes. Natural consequences can be powerful teaching tools. Working through problems together can also be helpful.

Embrace imperfection. 

Having realistic expectations for your child and encouraging them to learn from their mistakes is important for their growth. Setting unattainable goals can cause children to feel discouraged and may negatively impact their self-esteem. As a parent, it is important to support your child in setting achievable goals that challenge them but also allow them to experience success. When your child makes mistakes or experiences setbacks, use those moments as teachable moments. Encourage them to learn from their mistakes and to develop strategies for overcoming obstacles. This way, they can gain valuable life skills that will help them succeed in the future.

Lead by example by showing positive action.

Encourage your child to recognize that they have the power to change their feelings through their actions. Even if they are feeling sad or frustrated, they can choose to do something positive that will help improve their mood. Set a positive example for your child by showing them how to behave in a way that is contrary to their emotions. For example, if you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, demonstrate how you can take a break and engage in a relaxing activity to calm your mind. This will help your child see that they have the power to control their thoughts and feelings through their actions.

Teach them how to respond to negative feelings.

Reassuring your child that everything will be okay when they feel anxious or unsure is a natural response for parents. However, relying solely on this approach to counter negative self-talk can prevent children from developing the skills they need to manage their own emotions and thoughts. Instead of simply telling your child everything will be fine, teach them how to challenge their negative self-talk. Encourage them to identify evidence that contradicts their negative thoughts and help them develop a more balanced perspective. By teaching your child how to manage their own thoughts and emotions, you can help them build resilience and confidence in themselves.

Reminder

As parents, you need to be aware that mental health is a continuous state of well-being that evolves over time. By implementing these tips, you can help support your child's mental health and promote their growth and development. Over time, these tips can become healthy habits that contribute to raising mentally strong children when used in conjunction with each other. However, if you sense that your child is struggling with handling their emotions and is showing depressive symptoms, you need to ask for help from a therapist near you right away. It may be difficult to accept that your child needs mental health intervention, but it is a big help for them.

If you are looking for a trusted therapist near me, visit Mindshift Psychological Services. You can visit their website to learn more about their services. You may also contact them at (714) 584-9700 to schedule an appointment.