Do Kids Have It Tough Out There?
Antoinette Steyn • June 2, 2020
Is the world tougher for our kids than it was for us when we were their age? It might be. Lately, I could not help but notice that when you find yourself in a conversation with other parents, they utter the following words: “Our poor kids, they have so much homework, there is so much pressure on them, they have it so tough. In our days we played outside all afternoon, these poor kids only do homework.”
The worst part is many parents utter these words in the presence of their kids. The possibility remains that your child can hear these words and start feeling sorry for themselves. They might have been perfectly fine, but since you started worrying, they start worrying as well. You are not helping your child at all when you come across as overwhelmed by the pressure they have to deal with. Resilience is a skill which will benefit our kids greatly in life. Sometimes your child might be tested beyond the abilities they currently hold. This is not always a bad thing. We need to allow the natural resiliency of our kids to kick in. Sometimes our kids’ greatest downfall is us as parents, who blow things out of proportion or who struggle with our own challenges.
Were you taught how to deal with failure? Were you taught that failure is a part of life and that you need to search for and find the opportunity for growth within failure? Were you taught that your worth is not based on your successes or performance rate? How we react and what we think about failure we experienced can influence the way our children deal with the failures they will invariably encounter in life.
We can’t contribute to their pressure! We need to teach our kids resilience. With resilience and EQ, they can start to deal with many of the challenges they are faced with. Just because we as parents feel overwhelmed does not give us the right to project that onto our kids. Let’s start believing in our kids again, let’s help them choose to laugh more, learn more and take some risks for a change. Yes, the world is tough out there but so are our kids. Start believing in your child’s ability to show resilience, guide them in doing so and help them value the lessons they can learn from enduring challenges.
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Blog Enquiry
Fear is a natural and universal emotion that everyone experiences at some point. For children, fear can stem from a variety of sources—whether it’s the fear of the dark, separation from parents, new social situations, or fears of failure. While fear is a protective emotion designed to keep us safe, when it becomes overwhelming or persistent, it can hinder a child’s emotional growth and daily functioning. Teaching children how to manage and cope with fear through emotional intelligence (EQ) can help them face challenges confidently and build resilience in the process.
Intelligence for a Healthier Response
Aggression in children is a common challenge faced by parents, teachers, and caregivers. Whether it’s hitting, biting, yelling, or even verbal outbursts, aggressive behaviours can be concerning and difficult to address. However, behind every aggressive action is an emotion—frustration, anger, or feeling misunderstood—that needs to be processed and managed. Helping children develop emotional intelligence (EQ) is one of the most effective ways to address aggressiveness and foster healthier ways of expressing emotions.
As parents, we play a pivotal role in shaping our children’s emotional experiences. While feelings like joy, excitement, and pride are often celebrated, emotions like shame are more difficult to navigate. However, understanding and managing shame in a healthy way is crucial for emotional well-being and growth. Shame is a powerful emotion, and if handled poorly, it can have lasting negative effects on a child’s self-esteem and sense of worth.
In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, emotional intelligence (EQ) is more important than ever. It’s the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions, while also empathizing with others. High EQ is not just about being "nice"—it’s a skill set that helps people build meaningful relationships, collaborate effectively, and navigate life’s challenges. For children, developing emotional intelligence can be a game-changer, laying the foundation for not only strong social skills but also essential life skills that will benefit them for years to come.
Children learn more from what their parents do than from what they say. This principle is especially true when it comes to emotional intelligence (EQ). As children observe and interact with their parents, they develop the foundations for understanding, expressing, and managing their own emotions. A parent’s level of emotional intelligence can profoundly shape their child’s emotional development, influencing how they navigate relationships, handle challenges, and express themselves.
Academic success is often associated with intellect and hard work, but there’s another vital ingredient that’s often overlooked: emotional intelligence (EQ). EQ refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s emotions, as well as empathize with others. It plays a significant role in shaping how students approach learning, handle challenges, and interact in academic settings.
In a world increasingly driven by connection, collaboration, and empathy, emotional intelligence (EQ) is no longer an optional skill—it’s a necessity. EQ encompasses the ability to understand, manage, and express emotions while recognizing and respecting the feelings of others. For children, these abilities are foundational to success not just in relationships but in academics, careers, and personal well-being.
Helping young children take emotional responsibility for their actions is one of the most meaningful lessons parents and caregivers can teach. Emotional responsibility involves recognizing one’s feelings, understanding how those feelings impact behaviour, and taking ownership of actions and their consequences. For young children, this can be challenging, but with patience and the right strategies, they can learn to navigate their emotions while developing empathy and accountability.
Biting is a common yet challenging behavior among preschool-aged children. While it can be distressing for parents, caregivers, and other children, it’s important to understand that biting is often a developmental phase. For young children who are still learning to express themselves verbally, biting can be a way of communicating frustration, seeking attention, or exploring their environment.