Let Your Kids Be Brave

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Stop Hovering

The fear that you face for yourself is nothing like the fear you face as a parent.

This fear is so different.

This is like having your heart outside of your body, and you are hoping the fragile thing isn't getting bruised and battered.

Fear as a parent is one of the greatest aches that there is.

You must learn to fake this fear, for your child's sake. You must learn to hide the panic you have when your child is trying something new. Bury it deep down and show bravery.

If you are not brave when you watch your child, your child will not be brave either.

You must allow children to be brave and wild. Or they will become fearful and doubt themselves.

Yelling for them to "Be Careful!" or hovering behind them as they climb up the playground will not help them become stronger.

They won't know how to get back up because they never learned to fall.

When you see your child look back, afraid and uncertain, because you are not there, it can be gut-wrenching. You want to jump in and help them up, showing them that you will always be there.
But you cannot always be there for them.

It is not possible.

Holding on tight to your child does not help them. It cripples them.

So show them that you can be their rock. That you will be there when they need you.

Show them that they can always get back up.

Let Your Kids be Brave

The playground is where your children are supposed to get hurt.

They should hit the ground multiple times on the playground.

This teaches them that they have limits.

Falling down teaches them that they can get hurt and fail, but they can always try again.

Learning that they can handle this on their own, allows them to become brave.

They will start to push more limits.
They will try climbing up the slide.
Then they will climb on the side of the slide.
After that, they will run down the slide.

Yes, they will fall down. But they should fall down!
Let them make these mistakes.

If they don't fall down now, they will be in for a huge shock when you are not around. That will be a deeper pain to them.

Take a Breath

Do your best to change the verbiage that you use with your children.

Instead of saying "Be Careful!" as they run away tell them "Have fun!"

This small change will program your child to think about the satisfying part of the playground, rather than focusing on the aspect that is fearful.

Take a step away from the playground when they are on there.

Rather than standing with your hands in a protective motion, following your child around the playground, go sit on the bench. Keep an eye on them, but allow your kids to make their own choices and movements on the playground.

If they do fall down, give them a moment to react to what happened. Oftentimes, when it is a small fall, children will jump back up.

Of course, when it is a serious injury, go help them. The small falls and bruises are where they learn the most.

Let them respond the way they need to. They will call you if they need you.

Cheer at Their Accomplishments

Continue to be engaged and proactive with your child. (The fact that you are concerned, shows how much you truly care for them).

Cheer for them from the sideline.

Show them that you are still their biggest fan and that you know that they can do anything if they try.

Taking a step back shows that you do trust them to take on new challenges. You know that they can do so much on their own.

So allow them to be brave. Let them be just a little reckless.

Be there when they run to you after they fall. Be there when they finally cross the monkey bars on their own. And cheer for their accomplishment.

Be Brave for Your Kids

Do the hard thing, show your courage by allowing them to be brave.

Teach them now, when the stakes are low. That they are stronger than they think. That it is ok for them to fall.

It is important to be brave.