How did you fail today?

This week, we’re diving into one of the most important lessons we can teach our children: how to embrace failure. It might sound counterintuitive, but failure is an essential part of growth, creativity, and success. And asking the right questions can help your child see failure in a completely different light.

In this edition, we’re focusing on the powerful question:

“How did you fail today?” 💥

Let’s explore why this question is so crucial for building a growth mindset, and how you can start using it to help your child become more resilient, independent, and creative.

Why “How Did You Fail Today?” Matters

Normalizes Failure

Many kids (and adults!) see failure as something to avoid at all costs. But the truth is, failure is not the end—it’s a stepping stone to learning. By regularly asking your child about their failures, you’re showing them that it’s okay to make mistakes. It takes the fear and shame out of failing and turns it into something they can talk about openly.

Encourages Risk-Taking

When failure is seen as a natural part of the process, kids are more likely to take risks and try new things. They won’t be as afraid of making mistakes, and as a result, they’ll push themselves outside their comfort zones—whether it’s trying a new sport, answering a tough question in class, or exploring a creative project.

Promotes Reflection and Learning

Failure is only valuable if we learn from it. By asking “How did you fail today?”, you’re inviting your child to reflect on what didn’t work and think about what they can do differently next time. This builds problem-solving skills and teaches them that failure is a tool for growth, not a roadblock.

How to Use This Question with Your Child

Introducing the question “How did you fail today?” can feel a bit intimidating at first, especially if failure has been a sensitive subject in your home. Here are a few tips on how to make it part of your daily conversations:

Make It Routine:

Ask the question during a calm moment, like at the dinner table or bedtime. The goal is to create an environment where your child feels safe sharing their experiences without judgment.

Start with Your Own Example

To help your child open up, share a moment where you failed and what you learned from it. This shows them that failure happens to everyone—even grown-ups—and that it’s not something to be ashamed of.

Example: “I failed today when I forgot to prepare for an important meeting. But now I know I need to double-check my calendar the night before.”

Focus on the Lesson, Not the Failure:

When your child shares how they failed, guide the conversation toward what they learned or how they can approach the challenge differently next time. The goal isn’t to dwell on what went wrong, but to turn the experience into a teachable moment.

Example Response:

“You failed the math test, but that’s okay. Now you know which parts you need to study more. What can we do differently next time?”

Why This Builds Resilience

Asking your child how they failed today does more than just teach them to embrace mistakes. It builds resilience—the ability to bounce back from setbacks, keep trying, and persevere even when things don’t go as planned.

Resilient kids grow into resilient adults, who understand that success doesn’t come from doing everything perfectly, but from continuing to learn and grow after every failure.

What if Your Child Struggles to Answer?

It’s common for kids (and even adults) to avoid talking about failure, especially if it’s something they’re not used to. If your child struggles to answer, here are a few prompts to help them think about it in a more positive light:

• “Was there something you tried today that didn’t go the way you expected?”

• “What was something difficult that you didn’t get right the first time?”

• “Is there anything you wish you could go back and do differently today?”

The key is to guide them gently into seeing failure as part of the process, not something to fear or hide.

How This Question Supports a Growth Mindset 🌱

A growth mindset is all about viewing challenges and failures as opportunities to grow. When you ask your child how they failed today, you’re helping them develop the mindset that effort leads to improvement, and that the path to success is rarely straight.

The Power of Consistency:

The more consistently you ask this question, the more your child will start to understand that failure isn’t something to be feared—it’s something to be embraced. Over time, they’ll begin to approach challenges with confidence, knowing that even if they fail, they’ll learn something valuable along the way.

Action Step for Parents

This week, start asking your child, “How did you fail today?” It might feel strange at first, but with practice, it will become a natural part of your family’s conversations. The more you talk about failure, the more your child will begin to see it as a positive, essential part of growth.

Bonus Tip: Turn this into a family tradition by sharing your own failures at the end of the day. When your child sees that failure is something even adults face and learn from, they’ll feel more comfortable embracing it themselves.

Thanks for being part of the Future Way Maker community. Together, let’s help our kids embrace failure as a path to growth!

Stay amazing,

The Future Way Maker Team

P.S. We love hearing from you! If you’ve started using this question with your child, reply to this email or tag us on social media to share your experience. Let’s turn failures into lessons together!