Raising Resilient Kids

From toddler tantrums to teenage heartbreaks, children face emotional challenges every day. This October, we’re focusing on resilience—the ability to cope with feelings, setbacks, and stress in healthy ways.
What Is Resilience?
Resilience isn’t about avoiding hardship; it’s about learning to:
● Recognize and accept emotions (e.g., “I feel disappointed, and that’s okay”).
● Express feelings appropriately (without yelling or shutting down).
● Problem-solve and bounce back from setbacks.

How to Build Resilience
1. Name and Normalize Feelings
● Label emotions: “You seem frustrated. Want to talk about it?”
● Share your own: “I felt nervous before my presentation too.”
● Use books/movies: Discuss how characters handle big emotions.
2. Teach Coping Skills
● Deep breathing: Practice together when calm.
● Positive self-talk: “I can try again tomorrow.”
● Creative outlets: Drawing, journaling, or music to process feelings.
3. Foster a Positive Outlook
● Highlight strengths: “You worked so hard on that project!”
● Reframe challenges: “What did you learn from this?”
● Encourage gratitude: Share daily “highlights” at dinner.
4. Prepare for Stressful Events
Moving:
● Involve kids in packing and exploring the new neighborhood.
● Loss? Create rituals (e.g., lighting a candle, sharing memories).

When to Seek Help
If your child:
● Struggles to recover from setbacks.
● Withdraws from friends/family.
● Shows prolonged sadness or anger.
Consider consulting a counselor or Triple P provider.
Takeaway: Resilience grows with practice. By modeling calm problem-solving and offering steady support, you give your child tools for life.

For more tips, explore Triple P’s Teen Connection Strategies by signing up for Teen Triple P at Parentingnow.org, or ask about local parenting workshops.