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HomeIssues2017 - Spring EditionRAISING RESILIENT CHILDREN

RAISING RESILIENT CHILDREN

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It’s normal for parents to question whether they are doing the right thing. Caregivers want to protect children from challenging situations, whether it’s a bully at school, struggles with school work, or a difficult boss at a teenager’s part-time job. But such challenges are a part of life. Every person experiences difficult situations, and either has to cope with something they cannot change, or take steps in problem-solving something that can be changed. Emotions such as sadness, anger, and fear are normal in challenging situations.

How children navigate those challenges is what makes the difference. Having caregivers who provide emotional support, encouragement, and who teach skills directly and through modeling (e.g., how to control emotions, and think through problems) is vital to children’s growth and well-being. Just like adults are not born “knowing” exactly what to do in every parenting situation, children also do not automatically “know” what to do when faced with a challenge. If that’s true, caregivers can’t do everything for them (and doing so might teach kids that they can’t handle things). Similarly, we can’t expect children to figure everything out on their own; that might give them the message that others don’t care. They need the right amount of guidance and independence to learn how to work through difficult moments. When children make a mistake in problem-solving, it is a learning opportunity that will help them build personal strength, and do better next time (particularly when they are in a caring environment that provides teaching without being overly critical).

Just like kids might make a mistake when trying to figure something out, parents can make mistakes, too. The good news is that those mistakes teach children that even adults sometimes need help in figuring out what to do. Children who have learned they can survive a difficult moment – who are resilient – won’t be focused on their parents’ mistakes, but rather the fact that family members are there for each other and can learn to problem-solve together.

 

Dr. Shonna John
Dr. Shonna Johnhttp://www.haltonpsychologists.ca
Dr. John is a Co-Director of Halton Psychologists and a Clinical Child/Adolescent Psychologist and School Psychologist. She obtained her doctorate degree from the University of Toronto in 2005 and received dual registration from the College of Psychologists of Ontario in 2006. She has worked extensively in private, hospital, community and school settings throughout the years including Trillium Health Partners, Hospital for Sick Children, McMaster Children's Hospital, Integra Foundation, Surrey Place Centre, Toronto Catholic and Peel District School Boards. Address: 14A Martin Street, Milton, Ontario Phone: +1(905)-878-6650 Email: info@haltonpsychologists.ca Web: www.haltonpsychologists.ca

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