Empowering Children

Raising a child is more than providing them with a home, food, warmth and clothes. It is also teaching them the life skills necessary to empower them and for them to be able to grow up and have rewarding lives. Empowering children literally means to put in power or to cause power. So what can you do to empower your children? Here are a few steps.

Have faith

Tell your children that you believe in them. For example if they tell you that they are not sure that they will be able to pass their math exam although they have tried studying, tell them that you believe in them and you are sure they will try their best in that exam.

“Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate.” — Anonymous

By telling these to the children, you are empowering them to keep trying. Sounds simple doesn’t it? The only problem is that we don’t do it enough.

Get them interested

Increase their self awareness and get them interested in the issues that they encounter everyday. Ask them about how their day was and remember to listen to what they have to say. If something happened, you could ask them how they feel about it and what are they going to do about it.

This is a great way of helping your child verbalize and understand their feelings. They are also able to articulate their opinions better.

Let go

You need to remember to let go. Fight the impulse to do everything for your child. By doing that, you are actually further handicapping your child. So give them the space.

If you just do everything for them, they will never learn. For example, you asked them to tuck in their bed, but the bed wasn’t done neatly. Tell them that it was a good effort and show them how to do it neatly.

“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” — Margaret Mead

You also need to give them their own space to solve their own problem. You can help them but don’t solve it for them. Instead why don’t both of you sit down together and try to solve the problem together.

In conclusion, remember all these steps, because you are empowering a child today to become the future adult of tomorrow. So what are you waiting for?

Also see: Ways to Encourage a Child’s Learning and Love for Education

15 Ways Mindful Parents Can Empower Their Children

1. Encourage Decision-Making: Allow children to make age-appropriate decisions, helping them understand consequences and take responsibility. This is key to empowering children to trust their judgment.
2. Teach Problem-Solving Skills: Guide them through challenges instead of providing immediate solutions. Show them how to break problems into smaller steps to build confidence.
3. Foster Emotional Intelligence: Help children identify and express their emotions in healthy ways. Empowering children to understand their feelings enables them to navigate relationships and challenges effectively.
4. Celebrate Effort Over Outcome: Praise their hard work, resilience, and persistence, rather than focusing solely on achievements.
5. Encourage Independence: Let children take ownership of tasks like packing their school bag or managing their time for homework. This empowers them to feel capable and responsible.
6. Provide Choices: Offering options fosters decision-making skills and makes children feel respected and valued in the family dynamic.
7. Model Positive Self-Talk: Teach children to replace negative thoughts with affirmations like, “I can try again” or “I’m learning.”
8. Validate Their Opinions: Listen actively to their thoughts and ideas, showing that their voice matters. This reinforces the importance of empowering children through respect.
9. Support Risk-Taking: Encourage safe exploration of new activities and hobbies, even if there’s a chance of failure. Risk-taking fosters growth and independence.
10. Set Realistic Expectations: Avoid pressure by setting achievable goals. Empowering children means balancing encouragement with understanding their capabilities.
11. Teach Life Skills: Involve them in household tasks like cooking or budgeting. These skills prepare them for independence and build their confidence.
12. Encourage Curiosity: Provide opportunities to ask questions, explore interests, and learn about the world without judgment.
13. Practice Active Listening: When children speak, give them your full attention. This simple act shows them they are valued and empowers them to express themselves openly.
14. Model Resilience: Share your own challenges and how you overcame them, teaching children the value of persistence and adaptability.
15. Promote a Growth Mindset: Teach children that abilities can develop with effort and practice. Empowering children to embrace challenges helps them build long-term resilience and confidence.

Mindful parenting is about fostering an environment where children feel supported and capable. These strategies help empower children to grow into independent, confident individuals who trust in their abilities and contributions.

“The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” — Denis Waitley

FAQs on Empowering Children

1. How can I empower my child to make good decisions?
Encourage them to make small, age-appropriate decisions daily, such as choosing what to wear or what snack to have. Offer guidance by discussing potential outcomes and letting them learn from their choices. This builds confidence in their decision-making abilities.

2. What should I do if my child is afraid of trying new things?
Acknowledge their feelings and gently encourage them to take small steps. Celebrate their courage, regardless of the outcome, and emphasize that mistakes are part of learning. Empowering children to face challenges gradually helps them develop resilience.

3. How can I help my child handle failure?
Frame failure as a natural part of growth and a learning opportunity. Share examples of times when you failed and how you learned from it. Empowering children with this perspective helps them view setbacks as stepping stones to success.

4. What role does positive feedback play in empowering children?
Positive feedback reinforces effort and progress, which builds confidence and motivation. Focus on specific actions, like “I’m proud of how hard you worked on that project,” to encourage a growth mindset.

5. How can I balance giving independence with ensuring safety?
Set clear boundaries and provide guidance as your child explores independence. For example, let them walk to a friend’s house while teaching them safety rules. Empowering children involves trusting them to handle responsibility while staying supportive and vigilant.

External Resources for Empowering Children

1. Mindset by Dr. Carol S. Dweck
   This book explores the concept of a growth mindset and provides actionable strategies for fostering resilience, self-confidence, and independence in children.
2. Raising Resilient Children by Dr. Robert Brooks and Dr. Sam Goldstein
   A comprehensive guide that offers practical advice on how parents can empower children to overcome challenges and develop self-esteem.
3. Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH)
   A global initiative providing evidence-based resources and tools to promote positive parenting and empower children to thrive emotionally and socially.