Helping Your Child Become More Resilient

As parents and carers, we always want to protect our children from pain and disappointment. But the truth is, no matter how much we care, we can’t prevent every setback or solve every problem for them.

What we can do, however, is help them build resilience — the ability to bounce back after challenges, to keep going when things get tough, and to find a way forward when things don’t go to plan.

Benefits of resilience

Resilience isn’t something children are simply born with or without. It’s a skill that can be nurtured and developed over time, with the right support and encouragement.

When children and young people learn how to cope with difficulties in healthy, constructive ways, they become more confident, adaptable, and emotionally strong. And whether they’re starting primary school or navigating the challenges of adolescence, these are qualities that will support them not just now, but throughout their lives.

Helping your child develop resilience

So how can we, as parents and carers, help our children to become more resilient?

1: Model resilience in our own behaviour

Children of all ages take their emotional cues from the adults around them. When they see us handling stressful moments with calm, humour, or a problem-solving attitude, they learn that it’s possible to face difficulties without falling apart.

This doesn’t mean pretending to have it all together. In fact, being open about our own struggles – in an age-appropriate way – can be really powerful. Saying things like, “That was a tough day, but I know things will feel better tomorrow,” or, “I’m upset now, but I’m taking a walk to clear my head,” shows them what resilience looks like in practice.