One for the parents: how to raise mentally strong children

One for the parents: how to raise mentally strong children

Every parent wants their kids to be happy.

But should happiness really be the primary goal of child-rearing?

Happiness is not a bad thing; but it’s arguably less important than grit or resilience or some other lesser-known constructs.

So if you’re a parent, by all means help your children to enjoy positive emotions and happiness but don’t ignore these 3 strategies for mental strength…

via Inc.com by Amy Morin

Challenges, hardship, and setbacks are inevitable. Teaching kids to build mental musclehelps them become resilient. It’s also the key to helping them reach their greatest potential in life.

But, it’s easy to get so caught up in day-to-day issues, like homework and soccer practice, that you forget to look at the bigger parenting picture. Consequently, many kids aren’t developing the mental strength they need to become responsible adults.

Here are three things you can do to help your kids become the strongest and best version of themselves:

1. Teach your kids to think realistically.

The way your child thinks affects the way he feels and the way he behaves. So it’s essential to teach your child how to deal with those overly negative thoughts.

Kids struggle with many of the same types of thoughts adults do–catastrophic thinking, self-doubt, and harsh criticism. And sometimes, parents are quick to say things like, “Quit worrying” or, “It’ll turn out fine,” when kids express concerns.

Most parents never teach kids how to develop healthier self-talk. And the solution isn’t to simply, “Think positive.” Kids who are confident everything will turn out well aren’t prepared for real-life challenges.

A child who initially thinks, “I’ll never be able to pass math class,” can learn to reframe his negative thinking by telling himself, “I can improve my math grade by studying hard, asking for help, and doing my homework.” Kids who think realistically feel better about themselves and are more resilient.

How to Teach It: Encourage your kids to become thought detectives who evaluate the evidence that supports and refutes their assumptions. When your child says something negative, ask, “What makes you think that’s true?” and “What is some evidence that might not be true?” Teach them to challenge their thoughts and prove themselves wrong…

…keep reading the full & original article HERE