Bethany Hamilton on Teaching Kids to Be Brave and Resilient

In today’s world, it’s easy for parents to fall into the trap of overprotecting their children from every bump, bruise, or disappointment. But according to world champion surfer and mom Bethany Hamilton, true growth comes when we let our kids face the waves.

In her inspiring interview on the Today’s Mama Podcast, Bethany shares why allowing her children to struggle, solve problems, and tackle challenges head-on is key to raising strong, resilient human beings.

The Parenting Analogy: Pushing Kids Into the Waves

When Bethany reflected on her own childhood, she talked about how her parents “pushed her into the waves” at just six or seven years old. It wasn’t reckless—it was intentional parenting that taught her how to face fear, build confidence, and learn independence.

“We’re not really helping them when we coddle too much… Enabling them to deal with challenges and problem-solve on their own is really important.” —Bethany Hamilton

Surfing, like life, is unpredictable. Teaching kids to ride the waves rather than run from them sets them up for success far beyond the beach.

The Danger of Over-Coddling

Bethany shared how even she caught herself “over-holding” her first child, stepping in to fix problems too quickly. But by her second child, she realized the importance of stepping back and letting him figure things out on his own.

“You can see it—he’s super resilient and can problem-solve super fast.” —Bethany Hamilton

This small but powerful shift—from fixing everything to giving children the space to struggle—builds creativity, resilience, and real-world problem-solving skills.

Freedom Leads to Confidence

Bethany credits much of her success—as a surfer and a person—to the freedom she experienced growing up. Rather than shielding her from every fear or fall, her parents gave her room to take risks, make mistakes, and discover her own strength.

“Surfing forces you to be present. You can’t be on your phone, you can’t be distracted. You’re just out there, figuring it out, enjoying God’s creation.” —Bethany Hamilton

In an age where children are more digitally connected but emotionally disconnected, getting kids “into the waves” is more important than ever.

Why Physical Challenges Matter

Facing physical challenges, whether it’s surfing, hiking, or even learning to ride a bike, helps children develop emotional resilience. The ocean’s unpredictability mirrors life’s challenges, teaching kids that it’s okay to fall—what matters is getting back up.

Bethany’s advice for parents?

Encourage kids to try hard things.
Let them fail safely.
Resist the urge to immediately “rescue.”
Celebrate effort and bravery over perfection.

Resilience is Built

Bethany Hamilton’s life is proof that resilience is not something you’re born with—it’s something you build. By gently pushing our kids into their own “waves,” we prepare them to navigate a lifetime of challenges with courage, grit, and grace.