8 Life Skills Every Parents Should Teach Their Kids

Ask any parent what the biggest responsibility is when it comes to raising children with good skills and you'll hear the same thing over and over again: giving them the skills they need to be successful. And we're not just talking about learning to read or drive a car. We're pointing to the big picture tools that parents should pass on to their offspring. With the help of experts, we've put together the skills every child in this world needs to be successful.

1. How to politely say no?

Of course it's important to try new things and be open to new experiences - but just as important is being able to offer the company but a polite "no" when the time requires it.

"It's hard to deftly deny something—many adults even go along with things when they don't want to," says psychotherapist Stephanie Wijkstrom, MS, LPC, NBCC, and founder of the Center for Counseling and Wellness in Pittsburgh. This is why it is so important for parents to teach their children an early lesson in agreeing that it is appropriate to set boundaries and say "no".

2. How and when to apologize?

There's a big difference between shouting "sorry" from across the field and a sincere and sincere apology. Consider how successful the latter is at reducing stress – and how quickly they can escalate – teaching your child to say sorry and mean it is invaluable. While it's important to teach them when to do it - apologizing for things that aren't their fault, not apologizing for things that aren't their fault can quickly become problematic.

3. How to Deal with Excessive Emotions

Emotions that are hard to deal with can be tough for people of any age, but these big feelings can be especially overwhelming for younger people. That's why it's so important for parents to teach their kids how to deal with these feelings in a healthy way.

"Parents should explicitly teach their children the skills to deal with difficult emotions like anger, anxiety, and sadness," says Nastassja Marshall, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist at Renewal Medicine in Richmond, Virginia. it is said. Marshall suggests that parents not only model their children's emotional regulation, but also teach them how to release these emotions through relaxation exercises, deep breathing techniques, positive self-talk, and physical activity. Huh.

4. How do you accept disappointment?

Whether you are 5 or 65, life comes with its share of disappointments. Therefore, the sooner children learn to move on from those they met in childhood, the better equipped they will be to deal with adults in adulthood.

"It's helpful because it teaches kids to instinctively accept that the world isn't perfect, and that not everything will go its way," says licensed therapist Ginger Lavender Wilkerson, LMFT. "Disappointment can be a temporary feeling and [does not] define who they are."

5. How They Trust Their Instincts

Teaching your kids to follow their instincts can help keep them safe, healthy, and happy in childhood and beyond. "Teaching children to rely on their own internal guidance versus looking for external sources that often conflict with our wants and needs is a useful tool," says Sylvester.

6. How to Be Empathetic to Others

While many parents try to teach their kids to be tough, empathy is essential to their well-being—if it isn't.

"It's important for parents to respect, nurture, and develop their children's natural empathy," says special educator Donna Garfinkel, co-director of Early Childhood Associates in New York City. "Encourage your child to cultivate empathy by teaching them to help others. Participating in initiatives like driving games and the food pantry can help develop empathy."

7. How do you work well with others

Playing well with others is a skill that will serve your children after infancy. "Sharing and taking turns during play can enhance positive social skills that will carry over into the future," Garfinkel says.

8. How do you care for another living thing

Whether it's a fish, a plant, or a sibling, teaching your child to care for another living creature is an important skill they won't learn in the classroom. Not only can this help children be empathetic, but having something to care about can also help reduce their stress. A 2010 study published in Anxiety, Stress & Coping found that pets—whether soft and furry or hard-shelled—helped reduce participants' anxiety.