Do your children have a McChildhood? Do they experience the type of childhood that may satisfy them in the short-term as their immediate needs are met, but in the long-term, leaves them ill-equipped to deal with some of the curve balls that are thrown their way?
The emergence of indoor playgrounds is an example of the lengths we go to not only provide a sanitised life for kids but to ensure that they never get bored (or even get wet and cold when they play)!
It helps sometimes to stand back and take stock of the type of childhood that we provide for our kids.
Here are 10 elements of a childhood that promotes resilience in children and young people.
A resiliency-promoting childhood has the following features:
1. Kids don't always get what they want. The Rolling Stones were right when they sang, "You can't always get what you want, but you can try" all those years ago.
2. They have plenty of opportunities to solve their own problems without adults trying to fix everything for them. Children will only develop their inner resources when given the opportunity to develop their resourcefulness.
3. Children are expected to help at home from a young age without being paid. That is how they learn to be useful.
4. Parental expectations for success are positive, realistic and based on child's interests and aptitudes rather than on adult wishes.
5. Children receive liberal amounts of encouragement but moderate amounts of praise. Praise is like French fries ? kids want them but they don't need them. They need something a little more substantial than quick fix, feel-good praise. They need something substantial like encouragement to help them grow and develop.
6. Children have plenty of free time to do three essential things ? play outside, have fun and to daydream. But they need to have the opportunity to initiate all three, rather than have them initiated by someone. These three essentials help insulate human beings when life gets out of control.
7. Children are involved in family decision-making so that they learn to impact positively on their environment.
8. Children have the opportunity to identify their strengths and then build on these to develop their unique identities through adolescence.
9. Children grow up in families that have their own rituals, rights of passage and celebrations. These rituals provide important anchors to children as they develop and grow away.
10. Resilient children need to be surrounded by resilient adults rather than adults who are continually stressed and have no real life outside from children and work. Begin a hobby is a good place to start if you feel that life is all work (and kids) and no fun.
Michael Grose is The Parent Coach. For seventeen years he has been helping parents deal with the rigours of raising kids and survive!! For information about Michael's Parent Coaching programs or just some fine advice and ideas to help you raise confident kids and resilient teenagers visit http://www.parentingideas.com.au
affordable house cleaning Park Ridge ..It's hard to explain to the uninitiated the changes that... Read More
Single parents are not often thought of as good parents.I... Read More
OK, moms and dads out there, we hear you when... Read More
Many parents would like to homeschool their children but are... Read More
We're all familiar with the over-indulgent parent. But there's another... Read More
Nurture and TeachThe single most important thing caregivers can do... Read More
The learning and development of Australian kids is under threat... Read More
If your parenting methods include abuse of any kind; physical,... Read More
I am a dad. I have been now for over... Read More
As parents, we want our children and teens to grow... Read More
This time, I would like to talk about a subject... Read More
NY -- Strange as it may sound, bordom promotes happier,... Read More
Individualism is a common thing in today's modern society. Many... Read More
To protect children's self-esteem or deflect complaints by parents, many... Read More
In "The Ring Bear," a picture book by Tigard resident... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Using 14 "at" Flashcards To Teach Reading:This exercise helps your... Read More
Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much... Read More
I am sure that this list can be jogged and... Read More
As the flurry of Back to School activities subside, parents... Read More
Have you ever experienced one of those days when you... Read More
You need to smart to be able influence adolescents. You... Read More
Along with eating healthier we need to be more active.... Read More
There are moments in a parent's or grandparent's life, when... Read More
? Let the child choose his or her own lunch... Read More
affordable house cleaning Mundelein ..For first time parents choosing a swing set or outdoor... Read More
Grandparents, what better way to stay close to your grown... Read More
Why do some children still do best after divorce and... Read More
If you are like most people today, you do not... Read More
Home-schooling provides children with a superior education. Parents can quickly... Read More
A while ago I received this story from David in... Read More
The least flexible character in all of the stories of... Read More
Dining in a restaurant with kids can be very enervating... Read More
Successful parents have learned to be both firm and kind... Read More
The disquieting behavior of teenagers in the 21st century, is... Read More
Here is an easy, inexpensive and fun kid experiment for... Read More
Life is comprised of pieces of time sprinkled with pivotal... Read More
Researching career education uncovered the following shocking statistic: The average... Read More
Q. With another school year starting, we are not sure... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 31,... Read More
Most of our Founding Fathers, including Ben Franklin, Sam Adams,... Read More
Last night Tom's daughter, Sue, came out of her room... Read More
She slipped her small, soft eight-year-old hand into mine. Her... Read More
What is the mystery of motherhood? I know that when... Read More
When a couple steps forth with a baby in tow... Read More
There is no doubt that the benefits of being a... Read More
Is it possible to be using our children addictively?Anything that... Read More
Have you ever watched your teenager make a mistake (that... Read More
Parents of teenagers frequently ask what can be done to... Read More
There are many reasons for treating your twins as individuals... Read More
Parenting |