5 Powerful Strategies to Raise a Strong and Confident Child

By the age of 17, 20% of teenagers experience depression, while 15% of them have had a major depressive episode. Moreover, 1 in 4 teens faces a traumatic event by the age of 16, and 83% experience at least one traumatic incident during adolescence.

Yes, you read that correctly. Many people believe that stress and mental health issues begin with professional life, but in reality, they often start in childhood. You may not always know what your child is going through.

Many health experts and psychologists claim that these disorders significantly impact a child’s well-being. They can negatively affect their daily performance, lifestyle, and academic success. And this, of course, is not what any parent wants.

So, the pressing question is: how can parents help their children become mentally strong? Every child is unique, so what works for one may not work for another. However, here are five golden rules you can try if you’re unsure of how to support your child’s mental development.

5 Golden Rules for Raising Mentally Strong Children

1. Normalise Taking Care of Mental Health

Most parents talk to their children about physical health — brushing teeth, taking daily baths, and exercising regularly. But often, they don’t mention the importance of mental well-being. Children are rarely taught why looking after their mental health is crucial or what actions they should take.

If you haven’t been addressing this, now is the time. Mental health shouldn’t be a taboo topic; it should be part of your family discussions. Talk to your children or grandchildren openly about the benefits of taking care of their minds. Make it a routine to build mental strength together.

2. Communicate About Feelings

A well-known study showed that 60% of students feel academically prepared for university but not mentally. This is because they haven’t learned to identify, manage, or express their emotions. Many wish their parents had taught them this earlier. Sadly, children often observe just two emotions in their parents: excitement or anger. If your children feel this way, change the narrative by regularly discussing emotions with them. Use a wide range of words to express your feelings, whether it’s fear, sadness, or joy. Teach them about different emotions, such as surprise, shame, pride, and loneliness, and explain how these feelings can affect decisions. Help them understand how to manage emotions, particularly negative ones, in healthy ways.

3. Promote a Realistic Mindset and Discourage Self-Sabotage

Self-sabotage is common among young people, preventing them from reaching personal or academic goals. Sometimes, this becomes ingrained in their personality, leading to destructive outcomes. If your child tends to experience self-doubt or blame, resist the urge to simply reassure them. Instead, teach them to recognise unhelpful thoughts, especially when they predict failure. Show them how to reframe their thinking in a realistic way. Explain that their mind doesn’t always tell the truth and sometimes needs to be challenged. Use practical examples to help them identify moments when they should ignore negative self-talk.

4. Become a Positive Role Model

Children need to learn that it’s not always helpful to act according to their feelings, especially in challenging situations. Sometimes, acting in opposition to their emotions can make things better.

For example, if they’ve had a rough day at school, encourage them to do something relaxing or enjoyable at home, like painting, reading, or playing. If they fail a competition, teach them to practice more instead of feeling like a failure. This mindset won’t come naturally to many children, so be a role model by showing how you sometimes act against your own feelings for positive results.

5. Instil Problem-Solving Skills

Whether your child is a toddler or in their teens, you might feel the urge to solve their problems for them. However, this robs them of the chance to develop crucial problem-solving skills. Life is full of challenges, and without these skills, your child may struggle to succeed. The golden rule is to let your children make mistakes and find their own solutions. Resist guiding them too much. Whether their choice works or not, it will teach them invaluable lessons and boost their confidence. Over time, their creativity will grow — something even AI can’t replace when it comes to human success.

If they’re truly stuck, help them brainstorm different options, but let them choose the best one themselves.

Final Words

Raising mentally strong children is something most parents dream of. If you’re among them, these five golden rules can help make that dream a reality. While implementing these strategies may feel challenging, they are highly effective in improving your child’s mental health.

With consistent practice, you’ll notice positive changes. Your child will feel more comfortable discussing their mental well-being, avoid self-sabotage, and approach life’s obstacles with confidence and creativity.