It’s difficult to have courage in the midst of pressure. My son did that the other day and I was so proud. For about six months he has been the victim of a neighborhood bully. This bully happens to be significantly older than he is and works to make his life miserable. One day, there were a bunch of neighborhood kids playing so my son went out to join them. The bully approached him and told him to leave, that no one wanted him there. There were times when this happened in the past and he would return home in tears.
We’ve had many talks about what to do, but we weren’t sure how he would respond when he was in the actual situation. However, this time in the midst of intimidation and pressure, he stood his ground. He told the bully that he wasn’t going anywhere. The bully backed down, and my son’s confidence rose. Here are some tried and true methods to build kids with courage.
1. Lead by example.
Kids are always watching Mom and Dad. If you’re courageous in your life, your children will see it and follow your lead. Show them how to deal with pressure and fear. Take the initiative in the areas of your life that cause you fear. Put them at the top of your “To Do List” before doing the things that come easy.
If you’re courageous in your life, your children will see it and follow your lead.2. Believe in them.
If you believe in your children and let them know they have what it takes to be courageous, then they will believe it too. This will push them to try things they might not have considered.
3. Challenge them to have courage in their choices.
Challenging your children to have courage will motivate them. This is an opportunity for them to show that they can do what they’re asked. They also know that by being challenged, their parents are watching their actions and waiting to see them flourish in the face of adversity.
4. Let them know that it is okay to fail.
Failure is just a chance to learn and improve. Once your children know that it is okay for them to fail, they won’t be as embarrassed to talk to you when they miss an opportunity to be courageous.
5. Praise your child whenever they show guts.
This is the best way for your children to know that they are doing the right thing. By giving them praise, they know that their actions aren’t going unnoticed by you and that their bravery is paying off.
