Mental health providers and educators
studied what parents need to
raise kind, productive, creative, and joyful
young people. Using a non-profit preschool laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan, they discovered that parents can develop emotional muscle in themselves and in their children.
If parents remove obstacles and minimize frustrations, they interfere with a child's opportunities for emotional growth.
Parents Can Help Children Build Emotional Muscle
Karen Baker, MSW
Director of Child Development at the Allen Creek Preschool
Parenting Tips
Tip #1
Talk About Failure
Give examples of your own failures. There are plenty of opportunities to fail in life. Normalize it. Most failures won't have long term consequences.
Tip #2
Tolerate Discomfort
Get comfortable with your child's distress. Support & validate your child but avoid fixing things for them. This communicates you think your child can't handle what is ahead.
Tip #3
Expect the Shift
Your level of involvement in your child's life should change as they move into adolescence & adulthood.
Tip #4
Leave Room for Boredom
Allow young people to be creative, problem-solve & tolerate being alone.