Updated on February 17, 2025
Raising resilient children is one of the greatest gifts you can give as a parent. Resilience helps kids navigate setbacks, develop confidence, and handle life’s challenges with strength and grace. One of the most effective ways to instil resilience is through the words we use. Teaching children empowering phrases can shape their mindset, boost their self-esteem, and prepare them for success. Here are 40 powerful phrases that will help you raise resilient children, along with explanations and real-life examples to reinforce these life lessons.
Here Are 40 Powerful Phrases For Raising Resilient Children
Raising resilient children is one of the most important gifts you can give them. Resilience isn’t just about helping them bounce back from setbacks; it’s about teaching them to approach challenges with a positive mindset, persistence, and the belief that they can overcome obstacles. It involves instilling values like perseverance, adaptability, and emotional strength, which will serve them well throughout their lives.
By guiding them through difficult situations, modelling resilience yourself, and teaching them empowering phrases, you help them develop the confidence and inner strength to face adversity head-on. Raising resilient children ensures they will not only cope with challenges but also thrive in the face of them, building a foundation for lifelong success and well-being.
- Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
This phrase teaches children that perseverance and determination can help them overcome obstacles. It encourages problem-solving and creative thinking.
Example: If your child struggles with a difficult puzzle, remind them that trying different approaches and not giving up will eventually lead to success. - Good manners don’t cost anything.
Respect and kindness go a long way in life. Teaching children to be polite and considerate helps them build strong relationships.
Example: Encourage your child to say “please” and “thank you” when asking for or receiving something, reinforcing that small acts of kindness make a big difference. - Always ask. They can only say no.
Fear of rejection can hold children back. This phrase teaches them that asking questions or seeking opportunities is always worth trying.
Example: If your child hesitates to ask for extra help at school, remind them that the worst that can happen is the teacher saying no—but they might just say yes! - You’re not marrying one; you’re marrying the whole family.
This phrase teaches children to look at relationships holistically, understanding that connections extend beyond just two people.
Example: If your child forms a close friendship, explain that their friend’s values, habits, and family background will also influence the relationship. - Find the good in everybody.
Encouraging children to focus on positive traits in others helps them develop empathy and build strong friendships.
Example: If your child complains about a classmate being rude, challenge them to find one positive quality about that person—maybe they’re great at sports or good at helping others. - Don’t cry before you try.
Many children fear failure before even attempting something. This phrase encourages them to take action instead of assuming they’ll fail.
Example: If your child is nervous about speaking in front of the class, encourage them to practice and try rather than worrying about mistakes. - There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.
This phrase teaches kids to be curious and unafraid to ask questions, fostering a love of learning.
Example: If your child hesitates to ask their teacher for clarification, remind them that seeking knowledge is always a good thing. - Pretty is as pretty does.
True beauty comes from kindness and good character, not just appearances.
Example: If your child admires someone’s looks, discuss how kindness and generosity make someone truly beautiful. - Treat others as you would like to be treated.
The golden rule teaches empathy and fairness, helping kids build strong relationships.
Example: If your child excludes a friend from a game, ask how they’d feel if the roles were reversed. - You can’t control what others do, only your own reactions.
This phrase helps kids develop emotional resilience by focusing on their own responses instead of external negativity.
Example: If a sibling teases them, encourage them to stay calm and not retaliate, taking control of their emotions. - Don’t buy what you can’t afford.
Financial responsibility starts early. Teach children to live within their means and avoid unnecessary debt.
Example: If your child wants a toy beyond their budget, encourage them to save up instead of borrowing money. - Remember that things don’t make you happy, people do.
This teaches kids that material possessions don’t bring lasting joy—relationships and experiences do.
Example: Instead of buying a new gadget, encourage your child to spend time with family and friends for real happiness. - You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
Kindness and patience often get better results than aggression or rudeness.
Example: If your child wants to persuade a teacher to extend a deadline, teach them to ask politely instead of demanding. - Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Revenge doesn’t solve problems. Teach children to handle conflicts maturely.
Example: If a friend takes their toy, encourage them to talk it out instead of retaliating. - Watch what you step in.
This phrase reminds kids to be mindful of their choices and surroundings.
Example: Teach children to think before they act, whether it’s choosing friends or handling tricky situations. - Cow turds are a cattleman’s dollar signs. It all depends on how you look at it.
Perspective matters. What seems unpleasant to one person might be valuable to another.
Example: If a child dislikes chores, explain how they contribute to a clean, happy home. - Teamwork makes the dream work.
Success often comes from collaboration, not just individual effort.
Example: If your child struggles in group projects, remind them that working well with others leads to better results. - Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.
Encourage kids to actively shape their future instead of waiting for things to happen.
Example: If they feel lost about career goals, remind them they have the power to explore different paths. - What we think determines what happens to us, so if we want to change our lives, we need to stretch our minds.
This teaches children the power of mindset and the importance of positive thinking.
Example: If your child feels stuck, encourage them to shift their perspective and see challenges as opportunities for growth. - Fair? The fair is two weeks in the fall.
Life isn’t always fair, and this phrase helps children manage expectations.
Example: When life feels unfair, remind your child that fairness isn’t always guaranteed, but it’s how we handle the challenges that counts. - One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Value comes from perspective. Teach kids to see the worth in things others might overlook.
Example: If your child is sorting through old toys, encourage them to donate them, explaining how they could be valuable to someone else. - The greatest day in your life is when you take total responsibility for your attitude. That’s the day you truly grow up.
Self-awareness and accountability are crucial for resilience.
Example: If your child blames others for their mistakes, encourage them to take responsibility for their actions and learn from them. - True freedom is understanding that we have a choice in who and what we allow to have power over us.
Teach children to understand that they can choose their responses to situations, giving them emotional freedom.
Example: If your child feels overwhelmed by stress, remind them that they can choose how to respond, whether by taking a deep breath or asking for help. - You’re only as old as you feel.
Age doesn’t limit abilities. This phrase encourages a positive mindset about growing older.
Example: If your child feels they are too young to try something new, remind them that age is just a number and determination matters more. - A rolling stone gathers no moss.
Being active and engaged helps avoid stagnation in life.
Example: Encourage your child to explore different hobbies and activities, showing them that staying busy leads to personal growth. - Early to bed and early to rise to make you healthy, wealthy, and wise.
This phrase promotes good habits for physical and mental well-being.
Example: If your child has trouble waking up early, explain the benefits of starting the day with energy and focus. - Happiness is not by chance but by choice.
This teaches kids that happiness comes from within and is something they can choose.
Example: If your child is feeling down, remind them that they have the power to choose their attitude and focus on the positive. - If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.
Encourage children to take charge of their future and make changes if they’re unhappy.
Example: If your child is struggling in school, remind them that they can always find new ways to succeed, like asking for help or changing study methods. - A rising tide lifts all boats.
Success is more achievable when we help others.
Example: Teach your child that helping a friend succeed will ultimately benefit them, too, by fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. - Don’t judge a book by its cover.
This teaches kids not to make assumptions based on appearances.
Example: If your child dislikes someone based on their looks, encourage them to get to know the person first before forming an opinion. - You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
This phrase reminds kids of their inner strength and potential.
Example: If your child feels nervous about a big challenge, remind them of their past successes to build their confidence. - The early bird catches the worm.
Early preparation leads to success.
Example: Teach your child the benefits of starting tasks early so they don’t feel rushed or stressed. - Each day comes bearing its gifts. Untie the ribbon.
Encourage your child to see every day as an opportunity for something new and exciting.
Example: If your child seems bored, remind them that each day has something special to offer if they’re open to it. - Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Taking risks is necessary for growth and achievement.
Example: If your child hesitates to try something new, encourage them to take a small risk to experience the rewards. - If you can dream it, you can do it.
This phrase inspires belief in their potential and the power of dreams.
Example: If your child shares an ambition, encourage them to work hard and believe in themselves to make it happen. - Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.
This reminds children that both success and failure are part of the journey.
Example: After a disappointing result, encourage your child to keep going and try again, knowing that every experience is a learning opportunity. - This too shall pass.
Challenges are temporary, and this phrase provides comfort during tough times.
Example: If your child is upset after a disagreement, remind them that their feelings will change, and things will improve. - The road to success is always under construction.
Success isn’t a straight path, and this teaches resilience in facing setbacks.
Example: If your child faces failure, remind them that it’s part of the process and that they’re still moving forward. - What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.
Focus on the personal growth and lessons learned, not just the result.
Example: When your child achieves something, remind them how much they’ve grown and learned along the way. - What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Teach kids to focus on their inner strength and resilience.
Example: If your child feels insecure about external factors, remind them that their internal qualities are what matter most.
As parents, do we have an encouraging, we-can-get-through-this attitude when life throws difficulties our way, or do we demonstrate an ongoing fear of the world? Whatever our responses, our kids are learning about how they should respond to their own setbacks. If we’re always complaining about a difficult neighbor or car trouble or a ridiculous fee the bank stuck to our account, our kids will begin to believe that life’s complications are worthy of excessive attention and emotion. Yes, we should talk and pray openly about these things, but we need to show our kids what resilient character looks like in difficult circumstances. – Focus On The Family
Conclusion
In conclusion, teaching your children these 40 powerful phrases is an investment in their emotional resilience, self-confidence, and overall success. By incorporating these words into everyday conversations, you can help your children develop a positive mindset, learn to navigate challenges and build strong relationships. The phrases you share with them today will shape their perspectives for tomorrow. Remember, raising resilient children is not about protecting them from every setback, but about equipping them with the tools to bounce back stronger each time. As parents, you hold the power to shape their future by guiding them with words of wisdom and encouragement.
How will you start incorporating these empowering phrases into your parenting journey to raise more resilient and confident children?
- Managing Anxiety In Children: Nurturing Resilience
- Nurturing Resilience In Children: 5 Lessons From Trees
Faq On Phrases For Raising Resilient Children
What are the key benefits of raising resilient children?
Raising resilient children helps them develop emotional strength, problem-solving skills, and the ability to cope with challenges. It builds their confidence and equips them to handle setbacks with a positive mindset.
How can teaching phrases improve a child’s resilience?
Teaching phrases like “What you think determines what happens to you” helps children adopt a growth mindset, empowering them to stay positive and persistent in difficult situations.
At what age should I start teaching resilience to my children?
It’s never too early to start teaching resilience. Even young children can benefit from simple phrases that encourage perseverance and positive thinking, laying a strong foundation for future challenges.
How can I model resilience for my children?
Modeling resilience involves showing your child how to stay calm in stressful situations, maintain a positive attitude, and keep trying after setbacks. Your actions teach them more than words alone.
Can these phrases help in other areas of life?
Yes, the phrases help build a resilient mindset that applies to various areas, such as school, friendships, and future career challenges. They foster a sense of self-belief and determination that is valuable throughout life.
Thank you for taking the time to explore this post. I hope you found it both insightful and enjoyable.
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PVM
Mathukutty P. V. is the founder of Simply Life Tips, a blogger, content writer, influencer, and YouTuber passionate about learning and sharing. Guided by “Simple Living, Creative Thinking,” he believes in the power of knowledge sharing and lifelong learning.
