9 Ways to Raise Resilient Kids

9 Ways to Raise Resilient Kids ~
Written by Colleen Kessler of Raising Lifelong Learners

Your children might be skilled, talented, funny, and brilliant. But if they’re not resilient, persistent, and gritty, they won’t be able to make the most of those other characteristics.

One of the greatest gifts we have as homeschool mamas is the time to spend on the things outside of academics that make a big difference in shaping the adults our kids will become.

Prefer to listen instead?

In my book, Raising Resilient Sons: A Boy Mom’s Guide to Building a Strong, Confident, and Emotionally Intelligent Family, (afflink) I spend a lot of time sharing stories and reasons for building strength and confidence in your sons (and daughters, too!), but it’s important to make strengthening resilience in our kids a natural part of our everyday lives.

(You can hear my friend Shawna read chapter one here!)

Resilience and grit might just be some of the most important characteristics to cultivate in your kiddos.

Try these ideas for increasing your family’s resilience:

9 Ways to Raise Resilient Kids

1. Connect with others.

When times are tough, it’s natural for kids to want to hide from the world. This is a mistake. Everyone is more capable with a support system. Help your kids see that strong people don’t do everything for themselves, they ask for help when they need it.

It takes courage to admit you can’t do it all or don’t have the answers. Show your kids that they’re stronger when they have help, support, and strong, healthy relationships.

2. Think positively.

It’s easier to stand strong when you expect things to improve. Consider every bad time in your life, and help your kids reflect on their own bad times. Haven’t things gotten better every single time?

When kids (and you!) know better times are ahead, emotional resilience is easier to demonstrate. Focus on a positive outcome.

3. Remember that successful people are those with the most resilience.

The most successful people were willing to take on challenges that the average person would avoid. Read your kids stories of real people overcoming adversity.

4. Model the importance of self-care.

No matter what is going on in your life, you still need food, rest, love, exercise, and fun, and so do your kids.

Take good care of yourself and teaching your kids to take care of themselves give you all a better chance at tackling hard times.

5. Be active, not passive.

It’s easier to last when you’re doing something to make progress. Rather than passively waiting for things to get better, take steps to improve the situation.

If there is something constructive you can do, do it, and show your kids how to do the same. Making a plan, then working towards a goal is empowering.  Showing our kids that they’re actively in charge of their own lives is empowering.

6. Take mental breaks.

No matter how resilient anyone in your family is, take regular breaks to recharge everyone’s batteries.

You could watch a movie together, read books outside on the deck, or go play with a friend. Do whatever works for your family.

7. Talk with your kids about things you’ve already overcome as a family.

No one’s life is smooth sailing 100% of the time. You’ve already overcome many obstacles.

Remind yourself and your kids of your past successes during challenging times. You’ll have the fortitude and motivation to continue on.

8. Live a life (and a homeschool) that revolves around your family’s interests.

If you are constantly doing things you don’t enjoy as a family, it’s hard to persevere when things get tough. It’s much easier to keep going when you spend time doing things you all you love.

Find programs, topics, lessons, studies, field trips, and hobbies that you and your kids enjoy.

9. Hang around with strong and resilient people.

You become more like the people you spend the most time with. Choose your family, friends, and homeschool buddies wisely. Your kids will become stronger people if your family hangs out with strong families. Find some families and homeschool groups filled with people you want to be more like.

Just think about what your kids could do with their lives if they were even more resilient? They would be unstoppable — and you would all have so much more fun in the process.

What tips have you found to help you raise resilient kids? I’d love to hear!

What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your personality type needs most!