Teaching Your Child Courage

Courage is the ability to overcome fear in order to do what is
right, even if it is difficult or risky. Courage can mean facing
physical dangers, but it also can mean standing up for beliefs
and making hard decisions on the basis of evidence rather than
on what is the easy or popular thing to do. It 

means being neither reckless nor cowardly but facing up to our
duties and responsibilities.

Courage, however, does not mean never being afraid; and children
should be told that there are times when it is all right to be
frightened and to run away from danger. But they also need to
learn how to face and overcome some fears, such as a fear of the
dark.

What You Can Do

· Coach your child on how to be brave. Praise him when he acts
courageously (but never ridicule him for any reason--ridicule
can have long-lasting effects on a child's self-confidence).

· Discuss with your child how to say no. Sometimes children
don't know how to say no to peers who ask them to do dangerous
or risky things. After identifying ways that she might be
tempted, teach your child a three-step process for
self-protection: 

1. Apply the "trouble" rule: Will this action break a law or
rule? 

2. Make a good decision--think carefully about the risks or
possible consequences. 

3. Act fast to avoid trouble, using options such as the
following: 

--Say no!

--Leave. 

--Make a joke 

--Suggest something better to do. 

--Make an excuse such as, "My dad will get really mad."

--Act shocked.