Being worried about starting school is possibly one of the major things that parents support their children with and it is just the tip of the iceberg! 

Children aren’t independently strong they are what their parents and society make them. After a lot of thought these are some of the things myself and my husband did with our sons to raise mentally strong kids.  As ever its not an endless list but its a start and in no particular order.

• Encourage problem-solving and normalise challenges, it doesn’t matter how long it takes

• Teach emotional resilience

• Praise effort, not just results, progress not perfection

• Let them fail

• Teach self-discipline 

• Set healthy boundaries

• Encourage independence

• Limit screen time, encourage outdoor play and team games

• Teach healthy coping skills

• Encourage positive self thoughts

• Avoid being over protective - I personally struggled with this and still do!

• Teach financial responsibility

• Foster a love of leaning 

• Provide a safe, supportive space

• Encourage them to take ‘safe’ risks

• Model: show them how to apologise, show gratitude, good manners

• Teach them how to stand up for themselves without resorting to violence

• Encourage open communication, your child should be able to share everything with you

• Learn actions have consequences, positive as well as negative

• Encourage them to commit and stand by their decisions even when things get hard

• Show them how to manage stress/ criticism/ disappointment/ conflict resolution  -  mindfulness

• Encourage creativity

• Develop a strong work ethic

• Let them trust their instincts

• Be consistent and don’t give in