How to Build Resilience in Your Child

When Dr. Kathy Koch was a child, she was swimming in a lake on a family vacation when something cut open her forehead. She made it to shore and screamed for her parents, who came running and took her to the hospital for stitches. Later, Kathy could have given in to her anxiety and stayed out of the water. Instead, she confronted her fear and overcame it.

This is how resilient people live. They don’t deny what happened, but they’re also not controlled by it. They have the ability to dig deep and face their challenges with courage and confidence.

The ability to bounce back from struggles and difficulties is one of the most important character traits you can instill in your children. In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, the apostle Paul writes, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

How do you develop resilience in your child?

You start by reassuring your child that you love them unconditionally and that you are there to support them. You also give them opportunities to struggle and expect them to use what they have to become who they are.

Dr. Kathy Koch is with us on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “How to Build Resilience in Your Child” to share ideas for helping your children develop resilience:

Resilience is a mindset, seeing disappointment, failure, defeat, adversity, and trauma as opportunities to learn and mature.
Resilience is a choice that becomes a learned ability and then part of your character.
Resilience leads to:
Learning and creative problem solving.
Healthy character and relationships.
Confidence.
Growth and hope.

Dr. Koch will give you the tools to help your children develop confidence and to nurture a spirit of resilience within them. Listen on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or take us with you on our free phone app.

While you’re online, why not take our free parenting assessment? It will quickly give you an overview of how your family is doing in several key areas. It also offers suggestions for improving the relationships in your home.

Dr. Kathy Koch is a speaker, educational psychologist, and former teacher. She’s also the author of several books, including Resilient Kids: Raising Them to Embrace Life with Confidence. When you become a special partner with us through our monthly “Friends of Focus on the Family” program, I’ll send you a copy as a way of saying thank you for touching others with the love of Christ. You’ll also receive member-exclusive benefits. To make your pledge, or for more information, visit our website or call 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).