13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do
Strategic guide to raising mentally strong kids by avoiding counterproductive parenting habits.
Summary of 7 Key Points
Key Points
- Refrain from Condoning a Victim Mentality
- Avoid Parenting Out of Guilt or Fear
- Do Not Confuse Discipline with Punishment
- Encourage Risk Taking Within Safe Boundaries
- Teach Kids to Embrace Change
- Focus on Effort Rather Than Results
- Develop Emotional Intelligence in Children
key point 1 of 7
Refrain from Condoning a Victim Mentality
Parents who refrain from condoning a victim mentality consciously steer their children away from the inclination to perceive themselves as victims when confronted with difficulties or adversity. They do this by nurturing a strong mentality grounded on personal responsibility and resilience. These parents communicate to their children that while they cannot always control what happens to them, they can always control their reactions and attitudes. This way, children are empowered to deal with life’s challenges head-on, rather than resorting to self-pity or blaming others…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 7
Avoid Parenting Out of Guilt or Fear
The viewpoint revolves around the idea that parents should refrain from decisions made out of guilt or fear. They should avoid overprotecting their children to spare them from experiencing discomfort, failure, or hardships. Overprotection can disable a child’s ability to develop resilience and coping mechanisms. Instead, children should be allowed to experience adversity to some extent as it can serve as a valuable lesson and contribute to their growth into resilient adults…Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 7
Do Not Confuse Discipline with Punishment
Mentally strong parents understand the critical difference between discipline and punishment. They know that discipline is about guiding and teaching a child to develop self-control and judgement, while punishment is merely about inflicting a penalty for an offense. This perspective emphasizes the importance of helping children learn from their mistakes rather than simply making them suffer for their wrongdoings…Read&Listen More
key point 4 of 7
Encourage Risk Taking Within Safe Boundaries
Encouraging risk taking within safe boundaries is about guiding children to be adventurous while still conscious of their safety. The principle here is to allow children to explore their limits and capabilities without imposing certain behaviors or actions. Parents are there to provide the necessary support, safety measures, and guidelines but they are not there to dictate the child’s every move. Creating an environment where it’s safe to fail allows the child to build resilience and learn from their mistakes…Read&Listen More
key point 5 of 7
Teach Kids to Embrace Change
Mentally strong parents do not shield their children from change but rather, they teach them to embrace it. They understand that change is an inevitable part of life and that resilience can be built by learning to navigate through change effectively. They actively foster an environment where change is seen as an opportunity for growth and development, rather than something to be feared or avoided…Read&Listen More
key point 6 of 7
Focus on Effort Rather Than Results
In the understanding of ‘Focus on Effort Rather Than Results’, the emphasis is on acknowledging and rewarding the effort and determination a child puts into achieving a goal, rather than the end result or outcome of the venture itself. This perspective posits that celebrating the journey and the grit required to stick to a task is more beneficial to the growth and development of a child than simply applauding the final result…Read&Listen More
key point 7 of 7
Develop Emotional Intelligence in Children
In the process of helping children develop emotional intelligence, parents must first understand the range of emotions their child is likely to experience. These can range from joy and excitement to sadness, fear, and anger. They should not discount or minimize these feelings, but rather acknowledge them and guide the child in understanding what they are and why they might be feeling them. This fosters a sense of emotional awareness, wherein the child is capable of identifying their emotions and subsequently regulating them in a healthy way…Read&Listen More