I want to talk about something that I find myself pondering a lot, resilience!
As parents, we all want the best for our kids—we want them to be happy, successful, and confident. We try and make sure they have everything they need and we try to shield them from hurt and harm.
BUT life is tough as an adult, we have to compete to get into uni, compete for jobs, navigate friendships and dating and build financial stability. It isn’t always smooth sailing and we all experience life’s roller coaster of ups and downs.
So how can we help our kids prepare for adulthood and give them the ability to weather the personal and professional storms they will encounter? How do we teach them how to deal with not getting that place at university, or their dream job, or how to handle their boyfriend or girlfriend dumping them.
Raising resilient kids means helping them bounce back when things don’t go their way. It’s not about shielding them from every disappointment or fixing every problem they face (though, let’s admit, the urge to swoop in is real). It’s about giving them the tools to navigate life’s ups and downs with strength and confidence.
Think about the world our kids are growing up in. It’s fast-paced, full of changes, and—thanks to social media—there’s a constant pressure to compare themselves to others. If we want them to thrive, not just survive, we need to start now. Resilience isn’t something they’re born with; it’s something they learn. And as parents, we’re their biggest teachers.
Kids watch everything we do. If we show them how to handle stress, disappointment, or change in healthy ways, they’re more likely to do the same. Here are a few ways that we can start to practice building resistance from an early age:
- Let Them Fail (Just a Little)
I know, it’s hard to watch them struggle, but letting kids experience small failures helps them to tackle bigger challenges later on. - Be a Safe Space
When life feels overwhelming, they need to know they can come to us. Being there to listen—without immediately offering solutions—makes all the difference. - Celebrate Effort, Not Just Success
Praising their effort teaches them that trying hard is just as important as winning. It’s about progress, not perfection. - Encourage Problem-Solving
Instead of giving answers, we can ask, “What do you think we could do about this?” It’s amazing how kids rise to the occasion when we let them.
Play is such a powerful tool for resilience. Whether it’s role-playing, problem-solving games, or even just good old-fashioned imaginative play, kids learn how to work through challenges and express themselves. And let’s not forget friendships. Helping kids form strong, supportive relationships teaches them how to navigate social challenges and find comfort in community.
Resilience isn’t just about handling life’s curveballs — it’s about mental health, self-esteem, and the confidence to take risks and try new things. It’s about equipping our kids to grow into adults who can handle whatever comes their way. It’s not always easy to step back and let them figure things out, but the reward is seeing them grow stronger, braver, and more capable with every challenge they face.
As parents, it’s our job to raise a generation that can take on the world and thrive!
