Be Brave!

 Studies show that anxiety is at an all time high in our society with both adults and kids too.  As we prepare our young people for their futures, it's a crucial opportunity to teach them how to be brave.  

Nelson Mandela said "Courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it."  

When our kids get afraid, we have a few ways we can handle it.  

We can normalize being afraid.  Getting nervous about trying something new (middle school, skiing, or making a new friend) or feeling a pit in their stomach before a test or their first dance - these aren't signs of a mental health concern, they are normal responses to stress.  We all get nervous and we all face fears on a regular basis.  Share a story with your kids about something that made you afraid and how you faced that fear (riding a rollercoaster?  your first job?)

Secondly, we inspire pride and conviction into our young people which will drive their responses to stress. The type of bravery we need now is people who will stand up against injustice, kids who will do the right thing even though it isn't popular, men and women who will face risks because they are standing up for something they believe in.  Model this type of conviction for your children and they too will be young people of courage.  

The song Brave by Sara Bareilles sums it up:

You can be amazingYou can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drugYou can be the outcastOr be the backlash of somebody's lack of loveOr you can start speaking upNothing's gonna hurt you the way that words doWhen they settle 'neath your skinKept on the inside and no sunlightSometimes a shadow winsBut I wonder what would happen if you
Say what you wanna sayAnd let the words fall outHonestly I wanna see you be brave

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