The Power of Grit

To have grit is to have a growth mindset. It happens when children see making a mistake as an opportunity to learn and grow rather than an “I am right” and “you are wrong” vantage point. This doesn't mean they aren't corrected, but the correction comes from a place of trust. It is the child that is able to persevere through tasks that are difficult knowing they have the capability of trying again and again. As Angela Duckworth stated in her book Grit - The Power of Passion and Perseverance, "One form of perseverance is the daily discipline of trying to do things better than we did yesterday." 

Ways that you can foster grit as a parent -

1. Allow your children to see you make mistakes and how you figure it out. For instance, if you make a wrong turn, say what you are doing to figure out what direction you are going. 

2. Name emotions that they are feeling, saying things like, "I see that you are disappointed at not getting the lead role in the play." 

3. Don't be in a hurry to fix something for a child who is frustrated. Let them work through it. Be there to support them through their effort.

4. Teach brainstorming and problem solving skills by asking questions that help them come up with their own solutions.

5. Keep the lines of communication open with your children.

I remember an incident with a couple of my grandchildren. We had been playing in the hose and it was time to get dried off. As I turned the water off, both kids ran off in different directions. I decided to chase the younger one as he was headed for a creek. I caught him and took him in the house to be with his mom and then went to find the other one. When I found the other one, he was playing in the hose and had turned the water on. I asked him what he was doing and he told me that he had made a mistake. I told him that he needed to go tell his mom about the mistake he had made. He went running into the house to excitedly tell his mom that he made a mistake. I thought to myself how lucky he is to be fearless about making mistakes and to be able to tell his mom rather than hide it. I have seen the open communication that they keep with their children as they have grown older. I have seen this young child grow up and learn how to fly airplanes and do other amazing things with grit and determination.