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Three Character Traits of Mentally Strong Children

While parents are more concerned about children's academic performance and moral education, their mental development is easily overlooked. It is widely believed in every culture that character is destiny. One's future is primarily determined by inner character and strength. Therefore, mentally strong and resilient children tend to be more successful in their endeavours. Let us see the three character traits mentally strong children will have and how we can help our kids to cultivate these traits.

1. Positive Mental Attitude

Mentally strong children are always full of positive energy, feeling good about themselves and showing appreciation for people and things around them. They are optimistic, see challenges as opportunities and will not give in easily, even in the worst situation. For example, they understand well that exceptional grades only result from hard work and great effort. Therefore, they will not be jealous of others who receive better academic grades. Instead, they will take the initiative to improve by setting goals, doubling down the effort and pushing themselves to achieve a more satisfactory result. Therefore, it is foreseeable that they will look for solutions to every problem during difficult times instead of complaining about it while doing nothing.

To cultivate a positive mental attitude, parents should set a good example for them in the first place. Every child who believes in himself has parents who believe first. Give enough encouragement and support, tell them they can do it and take failure as a lesson for improvement. Show appreciation and confirmation, which are vital for building children's self-confidence. Adopting a more positive mental attitude enables people to have more harmonious relationships with others and better satisfaction in job and life.

2. Understand What They Need

Many kids may not know what they are looking for in life, but mentally strong children understand what they need daily and have a clear vision of their goals and what they want to achieve at a relatively early stage of childhood. They are more self-disciplined and try hard to overcome inertia and avoid procrastination.

However, how can parents help identify the needs and goals of the children? Every child has his development timeframe, so we should not rush our children to find their targets if they are not ready yet. What we really must do is to create an environment where they feel safe to talk about anything and ensure they know they are being listened to without judgements. Therefore, effective communication is achieved by knowing their thoughts and feelings will be respected, which makes it easier for parents to identify children's actual needs and offer corresponding ways to help.

3. Take Ownership of Mistakes

We will not learn from mistakes if we keep on denying them or putting the blame on others. Mentally tough children are not afraid of making mistakes, but at the same time, they dare to admit and embrace them so they can reflect and search for ways to improve next time. Taking responsibility and admitting mistakes means a willingness to unfold weakness, but it also shows inner courage, adds to the credibility and wins respect from others. Taking ownership also demonstrates that the children have complete self-confidence in their ability and skills to handle the circumstances.

Sometimes admitting mistakes is no easy task and does take much pluck for some children, but parents still have to guide them to take responsibility for their faults, starting from small matters. For instance, if a child accidentally breaks something, parents should not focus on the spot and start blaming them for being careless. Instead, we can guide him to think about why it happens and how to avoid it next time. This process leads him to understand that finding a solution to correct the mistake is more constructive than denying it or indulging in a sense of guilt. When children are willing to take ownership of what they have done wrong and embrace the mistakes as a learning opportunity, they continue to build inner strength, and self-confidence will grow eventually.

Bear in mind that every child is unique. Kids grow at their own pace and development pathways may differ. So do not compare them with others but make efforts to nurture positive mindsets, boost self-confidence, and uncover their potential to prepare them to excel in their own territories.

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