Search Results for: blog modeling resiliency

Using Kids’ Ideas and Solutions

Who says parents have to come up with all the good ideas? Or why is it that parents have to be the ones who think up all the consequences and problem-solving in a family? Encouraging kids to come up with solutions to problems and offer ideas to help solve family concerns is an important way to build family unity, but it also encourages the development of problem-solving skills. You might be surprised at how good kids can get at helping to solve family problems. Plus, I believe that being involved on the problem-solving side of things further helps kids develop … Continue reading →

“I Know You Can Handle This!”

My first maternal instinct is often to jump in and save the day. I know I’m not alone. We want to protect and nurture our children and keep them safe and successful. How can we train ourselves to NOT jump in with our Wonder Parent cape flying behind us and let our child know that we truly believe he or she can handle some of the tough stuff on their own? I have a line I tell my children—that is really as much for me as it is for them. I will tell them: “I have complete confidence in your … Continue reading →

Reassurance is a Skill

I think that the ability to reassure our children is one of the most oft-used and important skills in parenting–and, I do think it is a skill that can be practiced and nurtured. We start out with our tiny babies, needing to instill confidence and let them know that we will be there to meet their needs and look after them whatever arises–BUT, as our children grow and head out into the world, it is often our reassurance that keeps them moving forward and fosters their resiliency. Reassuring our child means letting him know that we have confidence that everything … Continue reading →

How Many Ways Can We Solve This Problem?

Teaching problem-solving skills is one of the challenges of parenting. If we are to send competent, capable adults out into the “real world,” they need to be able to face life’s difficulties and solve problems. One tool for teaching kids to be good problem-solvers is to try to identify at least three different ways to solve a problem that presents itself. Helping kids understand that problems can be looked at from different angles and that there may be more than one possible “solution” is a great way to approach coaching problem-solving. You can even make a game out of it … Continue reading →