These simple changes to what you do and say will help the whole family thrive.
By Elaine Lipworth, Content Writer at Thrive Global
All parents want their children to be successful and happy. And it goes without saying that we encourage our kids to always try their best, while doing everything we can to support them. But often, much like adults, children are stressed and worried that they aren’t “good enough.” And these challenges are only compounded as we continue to navigate the coronavirus pandemic.
“Many children are more anxious than ever before,” Lorraine Thomas, Chief Executive of The Parent Coaching Academy, tells Thrive. “We can help them to manage difficult emotions by nurturing a values-based, problem-solving and adventurous spirit and attitude,” says Thomas, the author of books including Super Coach Arty Vs. The Shadow — Taking the Fear Out of Failure.
Parents often assume their kids’ abilities (as well as their own skills) are innate and set in stone. If they’re not “good” at chemistry, they never will be. And if they can’t catch a ball, they will never be athletic. But this just isn’t true. As the science on the subject shows, those assumptions, known as a “fixed mindset” — the belief that you can’t get any smarter than you already are — are incorrect. In fact, parents can help their kids succeed and reduce stress by adopting a growth mindset. Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, the architect of the growth mindset and the author of Mindset, has demonstrated that we can all develop our abilities.
According to Thomas, “a growth mindset will equip your children with the resources they will need for life so they can be happy and achieve their potential.” The first step is to encourage kids to view difficulties as opportunities. “Children growing up in a ‘growth mindset’ seek out effective problem-solving strategies and persevere. They enjoy the challenge.”
Read full article on Thrive Global for ways to create a growth mindset family.
Originally published on August 18, 2020 on Thrive Global.