The 4 Characteristics for Raising Resilient Children as Tools for Self-Motivation
A few months ago I wrote about psychologist Bonnie Benard’s research on the four characteristics for raising resilient children. The 4 characteristics are: 1) Social Competence, 2) Problem Solving Skills, 3) Autonomy, and 4) Sense of Purpose and Future.
As I pointed out yesterday, resilience and motivation have a powerful connection. Correspondingly, the same 4 characteristics for raising resilient children are practically all parents need to also raise a child who has self-motivation.
The only element I suggest adding is the strength based parenting approach of focusing on the development of strengths rather than fixing weaknesses. Specifically, children are always more motivated when using their strengths. In addition, it’s also more motivating to teach your child how to use their strengths to manage weaknesses rather than trying to fix their weaknesses.
With that said, combining resilience with strengths based parenting is the perfect recipe for raising a self-motivated child.