Five ways to encourage your child to be brave

Sadly, statistics indicate that one in four Australian students aged between 8 and 14 years old report being bullied every few weeks. Due to the harmful physical and psychological impact it can have on young children, strategies on how to be brave are paramount.

Co-authors, Hester Leung and Sema Musson of empowering pre-teen book Being Brave know themselves the damaging effects bullying can have and share their tips on how to encourage your child to be brave and navigate difficult situations.

If the words and actions of others are repeatedly and deliberately causing harm – it is bullying.

“As a parent you can feel powerless when you have a child that is being bullied, but there are things you can do. You can learn to recognise bullying behaviour, talk to the school, get professional advice and make sure your child knows that you are there,” said Sema.

“Additionally, if your child can learn when they are young how to navigate difficult situations, this can help build their resilience and confidence. You can show them some tools to be brave and we are all braver than we think. Being brave is not about being the hero, it’s about teaching your child to have the confidence to speak up, be themselves and get back up and try again when something doesn’t work out,” added Hester.

Here, Sema and Hester share five ways to help encourage your child to be brave:

1. Be curious

“Let your child know that it is okay not to know the answer. No one can know the answer to everything – Not even you as their parent! Encourage them to be curious and create an open dialogue between yourself and your child – Urge them to ask for support when things are weighing in and don’t feel right,” said Sema.

  • Surf Lifesaving Queensland Little Lifesavers MREC
  • Kids on the Coast / Kids in the City Summer School Holiday Guide MREC
  • Kids in the City Summer edition front cover
  • Kids on the Coast Summer edition front cover

2. Practice mindfulness

Internal noise can be so unwavering, and sometimes it can get too much for adults and children alike. “Mindfulness is just as important for kids as it is for busy parents. Encourage your child to go outside, immerse themselves in nature and breathe in the fresh air. Teaching your child to deliberately breath in and out will calm their mind down and is a good tool to have when they’re experiencing self-doubt and frustrations,” said Hester.

3. Tell a positive story

Sema says “Self-doubt is a challenge one will go through during many points in life, and it can be tricky dealing with it at its inception. If your child is telling themselves things like ‘I can’t, I’m wrong, I will fail’ a parent has to try and divert this into a positive story.” Sema suggests speaking words of positivity and affirmation such as ‘You are kind, you are smart, you are important.’ “Be sure to emphasise to your child that it is important to get back up again even when things don’t work out,” she added.

4. Write it all down

Teaching your child to utilise certain tools can be an effective way to manage self-esteem issues and help them to find confidence. “Journaling can be a very effective way to help your child clear their head. It is stimulating for them and allows them to connect their thoughts and help to see another perspective,” says Hester.

5. Trust in your children

It can be easy to get caught up in competition at school, however it is important for a parent to let their child be aware that things do not need to be perfect, and that they don’t need to be perfect. “Let your child know that it is okay to get something wrong and feel unsure, feel free to share the mistakes you’ve made and how you learned. Most importantly, let your child know you love them for who they are and that they are brave by being themselves,” says Sema.

Being Brave (RRP $19.95) is available from Amazon, other online outlets and for order from bookshops.


For more tips on children’s wellbeing, try What to do if your child is being cyberbullied and How you can raise kind and compassionate kids . 


 

Servicing Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and beyond, Kids on the Coast is an online guide for parents with kids events, attractions & things to do with kids, schools and education, school holiday guides, health & wellbeing for families, parenting and lifestyle news located on Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast & Brisbane, QLD.

  • SunnyKids website banner
  • Big4 Gold Coast Homepage Banner
  • Sunshine Coast Libraries banner

Search tags: Mental Health | Parenting
By Claire Gilligan
WITH A FIFO HUSBAND WHO WORKS AWAY WEEKS AT A TIME, CLAIRE ENJOYS FINDING FUN, LOCAL THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO VISIT TO OCCUPY HER AND HER TWO GIRLS' TIME. ORIGINALLY FROM SYDNEY, CLAIRE AND HER FAMILY LOVE ALL THE THINGS THE SUNSHINE COAST HAS TO OFFER AND ENJOY SHOWING IT OFF TO VISITING FAMILY AND FRIENDS. Kids on the Coast is a free family magazine whats on guide for Kids: things to do, school holiday fun and free activities for kids... Fun attractions, family food & travel, kids health & wellbeing, kids parties venues, parenting, pregnancy & babies, guide for parents. Servicing Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and beyond, Kids on the Coast is an online guide for parents with kids things to do with kids, schools and education and lifestyle news located on Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast & Brisbane, QLD.

You might also like…

Easy peasy gingerbread biscuits

Easy peasy gingerbread biscuits

There’s no doubt that when it comes to Christmas biscuits, gingerbread biscuits are one of the most popular. This recipe is easy peasy!