What Can Your Child Do While Waiting for Life's Milestones? | Patience is one of the most valuable life skills a child can develop, yet it’s often one of the hardest to practice—especially when they see friends hitting milestones before they do. Whether it’s losing a first tooth, learning to ride a bike, or reaching a big achievement in school, waiting can feel frustrating and lonely. As parents, we want to reassure our children that they are on their own unique timeline. That’s why books like Wonder in the Waiting help kids understand that waiting is not about being left behind—it’s about growing in their own time. In this post, we’ll explore: A) strategies to help children develop patience, B) ways to foster a sense of belonging even when they feel “behind,” and C) important life lessons children learn while they wait. Helping Children Develop Patience When Friends Reach Milestones First It’s natural for kids to compare themselves to their friends, but patience is a skill they can build with the right support. Here are four strategies to help your child develop patience: 1. Celebrate Their Own Milestones Instead of focusing on what hasn’t happened yet, highlight the things your child has accomplished. Maybe they haven’t lost their first tooth, but they learned to tie their shoes, mastered a puzzle, or made a new friend. 👉 Try this: Create a “Look What I Did!” chart where your child can track their own achievements, big or small. 2. Use Positive Affirmations Kids absorb the messages they hear. Reinforce the idea that they are on their own perfect timeline with affirmations like: ✅ “I am growing at the right time.” ✅ “Great things are worth the wait.” ✅ “My time will come, and I will be ready.” 👉 Try this: Say an affirmation together each morning to start the day with confidence. 3. Teach the Power of Perspective Help kids shift their focus from comparison to curiosity. Instead of thinking, Why hasn’t it happened to me yet?, they can ask, What can I learn while I wait? 👉 Try this: When your child feels left out, ask them to notice something great about themselves that has nothing to do with a milestone. 4. Read Books That Reinforce Patience Children’s books like Wonder in the Waiting help kids see that waiting is part of growing up. Reading about characters who experience the same feelings can be comforting and empowering. 👉 Try this: After reading Wonder in the Waiting, ask your child: Have you ever had to wait for something special? How did you feel when it finally happened? Fostering a Sense of Belonging When Friends Seem Ahead When children feel like they’re the only ones who haven’t reached a milestone, they may struggle with feeling left out. Here are three ways to help them feel included and valued: |
| 1. Find Shared Experiences Even if your child is waiting for one milestone, they may have shared experiences with their friends in other areas. Maybe they all love a certain book, enjoy the same sport, or like the same games. 👉 Try this: Help your child find a “me too” moment when talking to friends. For example, “I haven’t lost a tooth yet, but I did just learn how to whistle!” 2. Create a “Waiting Buddy” Chances are, your child is not the only one still waiting for a certain milestone. Finding a friend or sibling who is also in the same boat can be reassuring. 👉 Try this: If your child feels like the only one who hasn’t reached a milestone, help them identify a friend who’s also waiting. Encourage them to cheer each other on! 3. Shift the Focus to Strengths Waiting for something doesn’t mean they’re behind—it just means their strengths might lie elsewhere. Remind your child that every person has different talents and abilities that make them special. 👉 Try this: Ask your child, What’s something you’re really good at? Then, help them see that their unique skills are just as important as any milestone. Lessons Children Learn While They Wait Waiting isn’t just about patience—it’s about growth. Here are four powerful lessons children learn during the waiting process: 1. Resilience: Handling Disappointment with Strength Life doesn’t always move at the speed we want, and learning to navigate delays helps kids develop resilience. They learn that frustration is part of the process but doesn’t define the outcome. 2. Gratitude: Appreciating the Journey When children finally reach a long-awaited milestone, they appreciate it even more. The wait makes the moment feel earned and special. 3. Empathy: Understanding Others’ Struggles A child who has had to wait for something important will be more compassionate toward others in the same situation. They will recognize how it feels to be in someone else’s shoes. 4. Confidence: Trusting Their Own Timeline Once children realize that they don’t have to rush or compare themselves to others, they develop confidence in their own journey. They learn that their moment will come, and they will be ready when it does. Final Thoughts: Waiting is a Superpower In a world that moves fast, learning to wait is a superpower. Wonder in the Waiting reminds children (and parents!) that every milestone happens at the right time. Through stories, affirmations, and patience-building activities, we can help kids embrace their own unique journey. 📚 Want to help your child develop patience? Grab a copy of Wonder in the Waiting from my publisher Free Sparrows Kids, and explore the beauty of growing in your own time! | School and Library visits are fun! Click for more info about booking one of our programs for your organizations. |
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