Psychologist Explains 7 Skills That Separate Successful Kids From Kids That Struggle
By | Harley Manson | awarenessact.com
As parents, it is our sole priority to ensure that our children have the tools necessary to not only survive, but thrive. And in a world filled with information, it can be hard to discern what is useful and what is not.
Thankfully, Michele Borba, a parenting expert, psychologist, and best-selling author of “Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine” provides some very useful information on how we can help our kids to flourish. According to Borba, who started her career teaching at-risk children who came from difficult backgrounds, certain skills can ensure success.
Here are the skills she shares:
1. Self-confidence.
There is a major difference between self-esteem and self-confidence, despite parents often mistaking the two. Borba explains “real self-confidence is an outcome of doing well, facing obstacles, creating solutions, and snapping back on your own.” Rather than doing tasks for your child and solving all of their problems, Borba suggests allowing your child to overcome obstacles on their own.
2. Empathy
Many people mistake empathy for something that is engrained in us, without teaching. However, empathy is a skill much like anything else. Borba says that children need to have an emotional vocabulary to develop deeper empathy. To do this-help your child label their emotions, ask them emotional questions (“How did that make you feel?”) share your feelings and point out the feelings of others.
