building resiliency
Resiliency = the ability to recover from difficulty.
Resiliency is not protection from experiencing negative situations and emotions but rather the understanding that we can get through them.
Resiliency comes from experience. We must allow our children to work through difficult times. We cannot fix them for them, but we can be there as a support to them.
CRITICAL RESILIENCY FACTORS
Problem solving abilities
Coping skills
Connections with adults truly believed to care
Feelings of belonging, being a part of something
Giving to others
As parents, we are the most important role models for children, and it is critical for us to model our own challenges, coping, and resilience in moving forward. Parents can also encourage development of resiliency factors with our children:
* Encourage steps of problem solving by identifying the specific problem and focusing on immediate next steps to address it.
* Practice coping skills as a family and provide access to coping strategies such as mindfulness, yoga, meditation, and deep breathing.
* Encourage positive relationships with adults who care, such as previous or current teachers or coaches.
* Encourage participation in activities that focus on specific group-based outcomes, such as theater, sports, and yearbook.
* Volunteer together at places of interest with your child. Make these experiences solely about giving to others and not about other topics.