Today, anxiety seems to be affecting young children at an alarming rate. With more and more children needing support to cope with all their anxious thoughts and negative emotions. This is why it becomes essential to help children learn that they have the power to control these emotions. That they are capable to live their life to the full. Everyone has an inner warrior but also an inner worrier. The work is about strengthening their inner warrior and shutting out their inner worrier. The following are ways on how you can help encourage your children embrace their inner warrior.
- Challenge them
- It’s nice to be there for your children and to listen to them when something is worrying them, but this doesn’t make it enough for them. Your child needs to learn that there is something they can do about their worries; they can take on challenges they set their minds to.
- Ultimately, it’s not only about talking about things that upset them, but also doing something about it. They are strong and capable to handle anything that comes their way. Show them that you believe in their capabilities to at least try. If they do fail, you will still be there to help them.
- Learning discipline
- Nowadays, some children are getting used to having what they want when they want it. While you do want to provide as much as you can for your child, it ends up doing them more harm than good. Children need to learn that they cannot have whatever they want whenever they want it. If they learn how to be disciplined, then they will understand that they need to work hard for the things they want. This will help them appreciate their accomplishments more since they would have worked hard for them.
- Having courage
- Children tend to keep themselves back, at times, out of fear. Fear engulfs all their thinking, and they end up losing belief in themselves. Thus, remind your child that it’s fine if they try and don’t manage. At least they would have tried, and they can always try and try again till they achieve their goals. Encourage your child to speak back to their doubtful voices and remind them that they are warriors who can do anything they set their mind to.
While the above can help strengthen your child’s inner warrior and wean off their inner worrier, it wouldn’t be enough. It’s not only about telling your child to embrace the above qualities but to also be able to show them how you are embracing them as a person. Children model their parents’ behaviour, and it is through this that they can learn how to feel brave. Show them that you are compassionate with yourself and others, can take on challenges to better yourself, and be open to communicate with others.
If you think that you can benefit from professional support on this issue you can reach out here.
Mandy Brincat is a Gestalt psychotherapist who enjoys working therapeutically with adults on various issues. These include general mental health and wellbeing. She also has experience working with anxiety, victims of domestic violence and eating disorders.