Browsing LinkedIn recently, I came across one of my favourite ‘thinkers’, Daniel Pink, who shared this thought, “In work, in life, and in parenting, resilience isn’t taught—it’s built.
Many parents of adult children say their biggest regret isn’t about what they did for their kids, but what they didn’t let them do for themselves. The real job of a parent? Not to clear the path, but to help their kids walk it on their own.”
According to CAMH, “Resilience is one of the best life skills children and youth can develop.” And the Ontario Psychological Society breaks down three items that contribute to our resilience: personal characteristics, external support systems, and coping strategies.
So how do we build resilience? Here are some recommendations by the Ontario Psychological Society that you can build into conversations and building blocks with your children:
- Practice gratitude (fosters a positive outlook)
- Challenge negative thoughts (help find balance)
- Nurture relationships (emotional assistance in tough times)
- Build resilient habits (physical activity, regular sleep patterns, healthy diet)
- Break goals into smaller steps (more manageable and more celebrations)
- Learn from setbacks (obstacles are temporary barriers)
In the words of A.A. Milne, (Winnie the Pooh), “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
Julie Benneyworth,
Principal
