Is Your Child Resilient?

In their book, Raising Resilient Children, Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein write about what makes children resilient. According to Brooks and Goldstein, resilient children have a unique mindset, one characterized by secure self-esteem, empathy, and hopefulness. Similarly, Martin Seligman in The Optimistic Child writes about inherent styles of thinking and how you can help your child develop more resilient and optimistic thoughts. These books surely belong in your library, if not at your bedside.

Developing strategies to help your children calm themselves is an essential part of proactive parenting because your children may not have these skills ready at hand. Here are some ideas from Brooks and Goldstein.

* Being empathetic. In the parenting relationship, empathy is the capacity of parents to put themselves inside the shoes of their youngsters and to see the world through their eyes. Empathy does not imply that you agree with everything your children do, but rather that you attempt to appreciate and validate their point of view. It is easier to be empathetic when our kids do what we ask them to do, are successful in their activities and are warm and responsive. It¡s more difficult when we¡re upset, angry or disappointed in them, but that¡s when it matters most.

* Communicating effectively and listening actively. Communication is not simply how we speak to others. It involves actively listening to our children, understanding and validating what they are attempting to say and responding in ways that avoid power struggles by not interrupting them, by not telling them how they should be feeling, by not putting them down and by not using absolutes such as "always” and "never” in a demeaning way: "You never help out. You always show disrespect.”

* Changing "negative scripts.” Every parent can offer firsthand examples of when they repeatedly told or nagged a child to do or not do something with little if any positive response on the child¡s part. If something we have said or done for a reasonable amount of time does not work, then we must change our "script” if our children are to change theirs. This does not imply "giving in to” or "spoiling” children; rather it serves to teach youngsters that there are alternative ways of solving problems.

* Loving our children in ways that help them feel special and appreciated. A basic guidepost for building resilience is the presence of at least one adult (hopefully several) who believe in the worth of the child. Such adults need not necessarily be parents. They are individuals who in their interactions with a child convey love and acceptance and help that child feel special; someone with whom a child can identify, and from whom they can draw strength.

* Accepting our children for who they are and helping them set realistic expectations and goals. To do this, parents have to understand and accept their child¡s unique temperament. Acceptance does not mean letting children do whatever they want or not setting limits on their behavior. However, when children feel accepted, it is easier for them to respond to requests and limits because they experience these in an atmosphere of love and support.

* Helping our children experience success by identifying and reinforcing their "islands of competence.” True self-worth, hope and resilience are based on children¡s experiencing success in areas of their lives that they and others deem to be important. Each child has different interests and talents that take time to develop. We need to promote our children¡s strengths rather than overemphasizing their weaknesses.

* Helping children recognize that mistakes are experiences from which to learn. Resilient children tend to view mistakes as opportunities for learning while those who are not hopeful often experience mistakes as an indication that they are failures. Parents need to set and evaluate realistic expectations; emphasize that mistakes are not only accepted, but also expected; communicate that their children are accepted and loved even when they make mistakes; and serve as models for dealing with mistakes and setbacks.

* Developing responsibility, compassion and a social conscience by providing children with opportunities to contribute. We often try to reinforce responsibility simply by giving children chores to do at home. However, almost every child from a very young age appears motivated to help others. Children need opportunities to make a positive difference in their world. Involving them in a charitable work, such as walks for hunger or food drives, fosters self-esteem and a social conscience.

* Teaching our children to solve problems and make decisions. Resilient children define problems, consider different solutions, attempt what they judge to be the most appropriate solutions, and learn from the outcome. To reinforce this problem-solving attitude, parents must be careful not to always tell children what to do but rather try to engage them in thinking about possible solutions. When children develop their own plans of action with the guidance of parents, their sense of ownership and control is reinforced.

* Discipline in a way that promotes self-discipline and self-worth. This means being consistent, but not rigid; knowing your children¡s capabilities and not pushing them for unrealistic expectations, relying when possible on natural, logical consequences rather than arbitrary, punitive measures; and remembering that positive feedback and encouragement are often the most powerful form of discipline.
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Lynne M. Kenney, PsyD
The Family Coach
North Scottsdale Pediatrics
www.lynnekenney.com
www.twittermoms.com/profile/LynneKenney