Balance between courage and fear in childhood

Courage and fear are twin childhood problems. Courage is the positive voice that tells us that we can do something, while fear tells us that we will fail or get hurt if we try. Without the courage to take risks, your child cannot fully develop responsibility, cooperation, intellect, friendship, or even love. But, without fear, our children would take unnecessary risks that would result in devastating endings.

I often talk about these traits because parents can really help their children balance them. And to keep kids away from cigarettes and other destructive behaviors, our kids will need to have the courage to say no to peer pressure and be able to resist the fear that saying no will negatively impact them in some way.

Parents often worry that their child will get hurt, so they protect them from experiences that present risk. However, to create value, children need a balance between how much you protect them and how much responsibility you give them. Therefore, it is essential to find our own courage to allow our children to be more responsible.

Here are some tips to help build your child’s courage:

Recognize strengths. You know your child has strengths in multiple areas. Help your child focus on building those strengths. When his sport or activity becomes difficult, encourage him and he will develop courage in it.

Praise the effort, not just the result. Courage does not always imply success. For example, let’s say your child studies hard and you know he did the best he could. Unfortunately, they still didn’t get the grade they hoped for. Congratulate them for all the effort they put into studying and encourage them to “keep up the good work.” Assure them that all their hard work will pay off.

Show acceptance for your child. Win or lose, make sure your child knows you love him.

Stimulate independence. Being overprotective can be one of the most damaging things a parent can do to their child. It could rob a child of the courage that comes from the struggles life can throw at him. Instead, gradually give your child more responsibility, but be sure to keep it commensurate with his age and maturity.

Parenting is not an easy job. And helping your child find a healthy balance between courage and fear is definitely a challenge. But they will find it, with their guide.