Psychiatrist's 2 Sentences to Raise Mentally Strong Kids

Want to raise kids who can handle life's challenges? A renowned psychiatrist says the secret comes down to two powerful sentences.

Dr. Daniel G. Amen, a psychiatrist with over four million Instagram followers, recently shared surprisingly simple advice for parents. His message: stop solving every problem for your kids.

"The more problems you solve for them, the less competent they become," Dr. Amen explains in a viral Instagram video. Instead, when your child brings you a problem, try this response: "Wow, you're so smart. What do you think we should do about it?"

The second part is just as important. Don't offer your advice until you've made them think it through first.

This approach isn't just common sense. It's backed by decades of educational research, particularly the Montessori method developed by Italian psychiatrist Maria Montessori. Her schools still thrive worldwide today because they teach children to become motivated, independent learners.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker Sarah Kipnes tells Upworthy that stepping back helps children discover they can handle hard things. "That discovery is the foundation of genuine confidence," she says.

Why This Inspires

Dr. Owen Muir, a child psychiatrist who practices this with his own kids, shares a touching example. At a high ropes course, his daughter fearlessly completed all three levels while he only managed one. "Sometimes your kids will be braver than you will be," he says.

Safety matters, of course. Kipnes emphasizes letting kids "fall" when it's safe to do so, then being there to help them learn from the experience. This might mean letting a teenager face consequences for forgotten homework instead of rushing it to school.

These small moments of productive discomfort build emotional muscle that protects kids throughout their lives. Mentally strong children are those who've been allowed to struggle in age-appropriate ways and learned to trust themselves as a result.

The beauty of this approach is its simplicity: ask questions, listen, and let your kids surprise you with their strength.