If we aren’t more mindful, our busy schedules combined with our deepest desire to protect our kids from all things bad can have a negative impact. As much as I hate to admit it, kids will fall, fracture bones, get into fights, get their feelings hurt, and a bunch of other things that we don’t want them to experience. The key is to do our best to raise kids who are resilient, instead of kids who feel overwhelmed when things aren’t working out as planned. We have to let them know that even when things don’t work out as planned, it will be okay. We just have to try our best to be prepared to handle it.
Let Your Kids “See” You
We have to let our kids take risks, make mistakes, and figure things out. And, more importantly, we have to let them see us do the same. If you are living your life avoiding risks and making fear-based decisions, your kids will see that. Try to live without too many fears, and when you make a mistake, talk to your kids about it. Let them see that even the person they admire most can mess up—it’s part of this thing called life. If you suffer from anxiety, don’t ignore it. Unmanaged anxiety can make parenting tougher than it already is, and it can also increase the likelihood that your own kids will become anxious.
Kids are tougher than we think, but how we interact with them daily can either help shape them into adults who are resilient or adults who may potentially struggle with anxiety. Being anxious from time to time is a part of life, but raising kids who struggle with anxiety can lead to children who struggle with all the day-to-day challenges life can throw our way. I think we can all agree that in order to survive and thrive in this world, being resilient goes a long way.
I’m working on slowing down and worrying less because I know it will serve my children well. Whatever it is you decide to work on, I wish you well. Your kids will be better for it.
BMWK, how are you raising your children?
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