How to Help Your Children Take Age-Appropriate Risks

We all want the best for our children. We want them to be safe, secure, healthy, and happy. We also want them to grow up and live fulfilling lives.

However, sometimes it takes work to find balance. We want to provide for them but also avoid spoiling them too much. We want to make sure they eat healthy meals, but it’s also fun to share treats that we loved as children. Knowing when to give in and when to stay firm can be difficult.

When it comes to playing and physical exertion, sometimes our instinct is to protect our children from any potential harm. Sometimes, we might even want to put our kids in a bubble to keep them protected and safe. However, taking risks is vital to children’s development.

If you are having trouble figuring out how to allow your kids to be risky while protecting them from great harm, here are some tips to help your kids take age-appropriate risks.

Be Encouraging

Taking risks can be scary for both you and your child. If your child is a little hesitant or nervous about taking a risk, reassure them. Show up for them as their support system. Let them know that you’re there for them and will be there to keep them safe. Encourage them to try things out. If they’re still hesitant, let them know it’s ok to try again later. They may work up a sense of confidence and come back to it in the future.

Don’t Force It

There’s a balance that comes with having your child take risks. If they’re showing hesitation, nerves, or fear, it’s never a good idea to force them into a situation they’re uncomfortable with. Instead, try stepping back and taking a break. Allow your child to watch and observe before trying it out for themselves. They may get more comfortable with the idea of taking the risk when they see others complete it successfully. Find a balance of being patient with them and encouraging them not to give up.

Make Sure Your Child Feels In Control of the Situation

New experiences can bring a lot of unknowns to your child. You can help them feel like they’re more in control of the situation by giving them different options to choose from. Have them pick the timeframe that they’ll wait before they try the activity for themselves. You can also give them a choice of how many people will go before it’s their turn. Make sure they feel comfortable with where you’ll be while they complete the activity. Do they want you to come with them or watch from the side? Is there an area they prefer you to be in so they can come to you immediately afterward? Giving them options and choices can help them feel more in control and confident before entering unfamiliar territory.

Celebrate Their Successes

Once your child overcomes their fear of trying something new or taking a risk, make sure you celebrate their success. Remind them about how they overcame their fear and nerves and persevered to accomplish something. They’ll be able to remember this experience the next time they face something challenging, so they can feel more confident moving forward.

Seek Additional Support

Taking risks can be challenging for both you and your child. But you both can make it easier for one another by going about it the right way. You’re not alone if you and your child are still hesitant about trying new things. The unknown can be scary. Fox Child and Family Therapy is here to help you overcome the challenges that life may throw your way. Reach out today to set up a consultation, 913-229-5691 .