Raising Resilient Kids

Issues with toddler meltdowns or teenage drama? Teaching a child resiliance can help our kids to be happier, well-adjusted, thoughful, autonomous adults.

Years ago, I clipped and saved a valuable article from "Counselor's Corner", much of which I will reproduce here.

Characteristics of Resilient Children:

• Socially skillful
• Sense of control over their response to life
• Reflective approach to life (thinks and then acts)
• Goal-directed
• Curiosity and interest in education (often 'caught' reading!)
• Presence of inspirational individual / role model
• Ability to separate from destructive people and situations
• Take moderate risks
• Stress-inoculated (anticipated and prepared for crises)
• View crises as challenges, not catastrophes

Recommendations for Promoting Resilience:

• Encourage child to have friends by being one.
• Encourage autonomy and opportunities for responsible decision-making
• Encourage divergent thinking (have child plan more than one solution).
• Get child involved in long-term projects to promote goal-setting and delayed gratification
• Encourage interest in education and promote reading.
• Challenge, but never put-down child’s views.
• Provide a strong family support base, and encourage individual extra-curricular pursuits.
• Do not expect of encourage perfection.
• Teach the art of reframing problems as challenges.
• Be what you want the child to be: model resilience.

Sure hope this is helpful!