Lessons on courage

If ever there was a brave female character, it is rightly given to Mulan!. I like Mulan and the story line because she knew that had her father gone to war he would not have made it home and though she was scared she mustered up the determination and the courage to go to war knowing that as a female in an all male army had she been caught the penalty was dishonor to her family so she made it her point of duty to go to battle and do her best to fit in and though she got caught, in the end she ends up bringing honor to her home and to her people.

My 3 year old daughter has her moments, sometimes when it's bedtime she may need to go to the bathroom, there are some nights when she'll just get up and go but then there are other times when she insists that I go with her because she's scared and I have to nudge and remind her that she's my big girl, my little fearless warrior and she can do it.

Our children are growing up in a world that is full of competition, whether it be academics, sports, friendships, or relationships, they are often led to believe that it's all about who is the smartest or the strongest or who has more witts.

It is important and imperative that we teach our children that one of the most powerful tools that they have on the inside that they can freely tap into is courage.

Kids may often think that courage is like doing something a dare-devil would do but the truth is that courage is doing that thing that's absolutely frightening like being really shy and wanting to make friends but not having it in you to do so but then mustering up your everything and walking over to say hi, that is courage!

It's about being brave enough in the moment and being able to push through their anxieties and fears to do that thing they know was/is really hard for them to do, that thing that afterwards will make them say hey, I did that and I'm proud of myself because I was able to overcome my fears.

Bravery can also be speaking up for the kid in school who is being bullied, letting them know that they are not alone, this kind of bravery can be very impactful in a child's life.

So, how can we teach our children to be courageous?

A good way to teach a child to be brave is by teaching them to be themselves, that may sound like an easy thing to do but, there is so much peer pressure and then there are children who feel like they have a standard to live up to so they have to act like and be who they really do not want to be but courage is being able to just freely be themselves in spite of what others may think or say. It's remaining steadfast and true to what is right and not giving in to the crowd or changing just to be recognized or for social media likes or likes in general or for personal gain.

Parents, we must make room for our children's faults and short coming. It's a must that we make room for their imperfections.

Kids are going to mess up along the way, it is their experiences that will lead to growth and how they handle other situations in life, when they fail (which they will) often more than once, their experiences will provide them with a road map and a gained sense of wisdom and knowledge.

So, remember to give space for growth, every child learns at a different pace so be sure to encourage them and show them that you are there with and for them every step of the way.