As parents, we’ve all been there – that moment when a challenge arises that seems insurmountable. Whether it’s potty training struggles, picky eating battles, or simply getting through the “terrible twos,” parenthood is filled with hurdles that test our perseverance.
Take my daughter Alexus for example. After meticulously researching and preparing for potty training her little one, she found herself utterly drained after just one week of countless accidents and little success. The plan she had envisioned crumbled, and that feeling of defeat started creeping in. As a mother and grandmother, I could empathize with her frustration.
But Alexus didn’t give up. She dug deep and kept going, day after day, with consistency and patience. Because that’s what resilient parents do – we persevere, even when it seems pointless in the moment.
The truth is, raising resilient children requires resilient parents first. As Elder Lynn G. Robbins taught, “The solution…is to learn how to become truly resilient—how to develop courage, calmness, and the determination to struggle forever.” It takes grit, determination, and a resilient mindset within ourselves.
So how can we model and teach this vital life skill? According to a recent article, some key strategies include:
1) Reframing challenges as opportunities by asking “What can we learn from this?” versus falling into negative self-talk.
2) Praising efforts over results to reinforce that perseverance matters more than perfection.
3) Sharing your own stories of resilience to inspire them when they face adversity.
4) Teaching emotional regulation skills to manage frustration constructively.
The road won’t always be easy, whether you’re potty training or guiding your child through larger life battles. But by embodying resilience ourselves and implementing techniques like these, we equip our kids with the spiritual armor they need to persevere through any challenge that comes their way.
Because in those moments when you want to throw in the towel, resilience is what carries you through to the other side – where tiny victories await if you just keep going.
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