As a parent you will have to deal with getting your child to bed on time, making sure they eat well, and the 101 daily tasks that make up a child/parent routine. You will also have to guide them as they explore the world around them, and help comfort them when they encounter scary or unknown parts of their world.
Fear is Normal
Fear is a natural human emotion. It helps us know when we should stay, and when we should go. It’s a protective mechanism if you will. Navigating ‘scary things’ can be tricky for adults and children. But as a parent, it can be doubly difficult when our protective instincts kick in. It’s hard to know when to gently encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone, and when to acknowledge their fear and protect them.
When it comes to letting your young child explore new activities like sports such as swimming, there can be concerns both on your part and on theirs. The reality is, when you live close to a beach, or are lucky enough to have a swimming pool in your backyard, there are huge benefits to your child’s health and safety if they learn to swim from a young age. Sending your child to swim classes is the best way to ensure they learn in a safe and professional environment.
Other normal fears that children commonly experience include being afraid of insects or animals. What this fear and many other fears boil down to is the fear of the unknown. Being able to support your child when they find themselves in a situation of fear, involves letting them know that you are there for them. You must gently encourage them to try the thing that scares them. Even if it is just a baby step. For example, if they are scared of insects, try showing them that while it is normal to have these emotions, they cannot be harmed (by most) insects.
Respect and Reactions
Teaching your children the importance of respect is part of educating them about their environment. Leading by example is critical when it comes to overcoming fears and inspiring their curiosity will make them want to try new things. Often, children will have developed a fear because they have seen their parents react in a negative way to some stimulus. Showing your child that you are not afraid of something, or at least willing to show them how you are trying to overcome this, will encourage them to copy you, and get over this fear.
Positivity
The most important thing is to encourage your child with positive words and actions. Never punish them for not trying something that scares them. If you force a child to step outside of their comfort zone before they are ready, this can have negative consequences that can stay with them for the rest of their life. Instead of punishment, try rewarding your child when they go to a new lesson. Or when they spend some time out in nature/ wherever it is that they are reluctant to go.
At the end of the day, parents are there to nurture and support their children. And while there is no such thing as the ideal parent, it is important to try not to push your own expectations (or emotional baggage) on to your impressionable offspring.