We all know how easy it is to see solutions to the problems of others—then we have perspective, objectivity, and creative ideas.

With our own problems we often become emotionally involved and lose all perspective and common sense.

Imagine what it will be like to have your children come to you with all their problems, all the time. Sounds exhausting right?

Well, it is likely to happen if you don’t trust them and actually your children to learn how to solve problems.

Never underestimate your child’s ability to solve a problem.

Problems will crop up in all facets of life and problem-solving is a life skill that your child needs to learn because you won’t be there all the time. Your child needs to learn how to solve problems with friends, homework, and learn to make choices.

The best way to help your child get ahead in life is to teach him/her basic problem-solving from a young age. Children who lack problem-solving skills may make decisions without thinking about the consequences of their actions.

Some of us were not encouraged to solve problems on our own as children and I am sure you can remember an incident or two when you rushed into making decisions without thinking.

Our job is to teach our children how to solve problems by themselves and not help them solve it. When you teach your child problem-solving skills, they would learn to be confident and independent, and successful individuals.

Use daily challenges as opportunities to practice problem-solving with your children to teach them that mistakes are wonderful opportunities to learn and empower them with a growth mindset.

Instead of giving up or getting frustrated when they encounter a challenge, kids with problem-solving skills manage their emotions, think creatively, and persist until they find a solution. Naturally, these abilities go hand-in-hand with a growth mindset.

A growth mindset would teach your children that there is a solution to every situation and all they need to do is figure it out with support if and when required. and you are there to help and support when they need you.

TIPS TO PROBLEM-SOLVING

·       Admit that there is a problem and identify the problem: saying the problem out loud can make a big difference for children. For instance, “You always forget your water bottle in school, how do you think we can solve this problem?”.

·       Brainstorm ways to solve the problem. Encourage your child to come up with ideas even if they sound silly. The key is to help him see that with a little creativity, he can find many different potential solutions.

·       Ask curiosity questions. Ask “What” and “How” questions.

·       Identify the pros and cons of each solution. Help your child identify potential positive and negative consequences for each potential solution she identified.

·       Pick a solution. Once your child has evaluated the possible positive and negative outcomes, encourage her to pick a solution.

·       Test it out. Tell her to try a solution and see what happens. If it doesn’t work out, she can always try another solution from the list that she developed in step two.

Children do things better when they are part of the process. Share your willingness to work together toward solutions that would satisfy both of you. Involve your children in problem-solving and they will be eager to it out to see how it works.

It is also a great idea to include the solution agreed on their routine chart. Remember that children are more willing to follow solutions they have helped create.

I hope you have learnt something. If yes, would you like to join me in the Parenting for Jannah Academy? You should join the Waitlist HERE to be notified when next we are open.