Raising responsible, bold and mindful children who are ready to challenge the world and face life’s adventures requires a lot of determination and mentally strong parents who will have the courage to give up the usual parenting (pampering) methods.
It is something most parents don’t approve of, yet it is also the only way for children to understand what life is all about.
Helping kids build their mental muscles by gaining knowledge about the world that’s surrounding them is not easy it all – it requires parents who are mentally strong and determined to do what’s best for their loved ones.
That is why parents who prefer to make their children learn from their own mistakes and face their fears, avoid doing these 10 following things:
1. THEY DON’T LET GUILT GET IN THEIR WAY OF PARENTING
Mentally strong and wise parents know that even though feeling guilty is uncomfortable and at times insufferable, it is the only way to help their children to learn everything about discipline.
Giving into guilty feelings creates unhealthy habits and spoils children in the long run.
2. THEY AVOID TREATING THEIR CHILDREN AS THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE
It is hard to not make your life revolve around your children’s needs. However, children who are raised to believe that they are the center of the universe grow up to be the most selfish and egoistic human beings.
Mentally strong parents make sure to teach their children the power of humbleness.
3. THEY NEVER USE FEAR TO DICTATE THEIR CHILDREN’S CHOICES
Keeping your children safe and sound at all cost seems like a normal thing to do. But, keeping them hidden inside a protective, golden bubble can only do them harm.
It will prevent them from developing into mentally strong, healthy and resilient individuals. That is why realistic and mentally strong parents prefer to let their children experience the world through their own lenses.
4. THEY DON’T GIVE THEIR CHILDREN POWER OVER THEM
Children and parents are equal human beings, but there’s a certain hierarchy that should always be maintained at healthy and a standard level.
Children who tend to dictate what the family should be doing, or eating or talking have too much power. These same children tend to grow up as disrespectful and self-absorbed individuals.
5. THEY DON’T SPOIL THEIR CHILDREN BY LETTING THEM AVOID RESPONSIBILITY
Taking responsibility for one’s actions is something children should learn from a very young age.
A mentally strong and determined parent would never say something like “Kids are just kids. I can’t burden my kids with adult stuff.”
They would rather teach their children responsibility and assign them duties for their appropriate age.
6. THEY DON’T SHIELD THEIR CHILDREN FROM PAIN
On the contrary, they let their children face the pain head on and experience the not-so-bright side of life.
Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean abandoning your children when they need you the most, but rather supporting them and at the same time teaching them to handle everything life serves them.
7. THEY DON’T PREVENT THEIR CHILDREN FROM MAKING MISTAKES
Because mistakes are the greatest lesson you can get from life. Mentally strong parents let their kids stick to their own path in life and allow them to face the consequences of their actions.
8. THEY DON’T TAKE THE BLAME FOR THEIR CHILDREN’S EMOTIONS
It is important for a person to be able to understand and identify their own emotions. And it is specifically important for children to learn that they are the only ones who control the way they feel.
Therefore, even though it can be tempting for a parent to comfort their children and cheer them up when they feel blue, it is crucial to understand that by regulating the children’s feelings, you actually prevent them from gaining emotional skills.
9. THEY DON’T APPROVE SHORTCUTS AS A WAY OF AVOIDING DISCOMFORT
Life isn’t always pinky skies and rainbows. Sometimes there are thunderstorms. So, it takes real courage, determination and mental strength to be able to tolerate the discomfort.
In order to raise mentally strong and confident individuals, parents must teach their children the art od discipline. The power of taking responsibility and owning up to mistakes.
10. THEY DON’T CONFUSE DISCIPLINE WITH PUNISHMENT
As I said before, discipline is the only way to teach your kids some good, old-fashioned responsibility. Mastering self-discipline is the most important tool on their journey to success.
Punishment, on the other hand, is about making someone suffer for their wrongdoings. Its weapon of choice is fear.
