Determination

Parents want kids to finish their chores or tasks at home.  Teachers need children to complete work and projects so they can progress in their education.  Employers will one day want your child to accomplish the work assigned to them.

Finishing is important to your child’s success today, tomorrow, and when they are adults.  But what happens when they face challenges or resistance.  Parents need to recognize their child will face challenges throughout their life.  Kids can learn determination early in life.  Determination is deciding to finish what you start in the face of obstacles.

Parents can push their kids toward showing determination or just as easily pull them away from sticking it out.  Determination is a character trait that you can encourage from a very young age.

Here are some tips to helping your child push through when things get a little difficult.

  • Think about how your child responds when they face challenges.  Make a list of their natural attitudes, phrases, and responses.  Most kids have habits of response and will habitually respond in the same way.

  • Identify ways your child could better show determination based off of your list.  Coach them on a better way to respond so they can push in the face of challenges.  Don’t leave alone in their challenges, but don’t rescue them either.  Walk together!

  •  Encourage them to do things that don't come easily-and to praise them for their initiative.  If your son is shy, for instance, quietly encourage him to approach kids on the playground, even if it makes him feel nervous and scared. If your daughter is quick to blow a fuse, teach her strategies (such as counting to ten or taking a deep breath) for holding back a temper tantrum. Congratulate kids when they manage to do things that are difficult for them. The child who hears "Good job I know that was really tough!" is encouraged to create new habits and becomes even more determined to keep trying.

  • Agree with them when something is difficult.  Give them hope and encouragement and not let them quit easily.  Remember positive reinforcement is stronger than negative.

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