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
bathroom cleaning service Northbrook ..No matter what you say or do, your kids will... Read More
It's among the top criticism wives have of their husbands:... Read More
You want your daughter to wear a dress to the... Read More
Sitterphobe "I never have a second to myself," this mother... Read More
The older my daughter gets the more it's sinking in... Read More
The formula is pretty straightforward: energy in/energy out. This is... Read More
So you want to be a mum? Every time you... Read More
Many parenting books advise against eating out with young children.... Read More
Recess has begun disappearing in states all around the country.... Read More
Are you a frustrated parent who sometimes finds it is... Read More
The time you will need to teach your children the... Read More
Late vs. Too LateEvery now and then, I'll hear a... Read More
Mommy (Daddy), Why do those people want to hurt everyone?Last... Read More
Is there a difference between lazy and unmotivated? Why do... Read More
Imagine having no television for an entire season. Such was... Read More
If your child is to derive the benefits of physical... Read More
Your daughter tells you that Uncle Charley has touched her... Read More
Everyone loves penguins. And now, everyone has a chance to... Read More
Goal setting is essential for building a successful life. However,... Read More
Here are ten simple pleasures you can enjoy with your... Read More
Every school year parents and students dutifully trudge through the... Read More
Yesterday my husband Wade took the day off (that's one... Read More
Most teens go into the work world ill-prepared to manage... Read More
Picture this. Your child comes home with a special assignment... Read More
The back-to-school shopping is done. Brand new pencils, colored markers,... Read More
insured cleaning company Wilmette ..A tall, weary-looking mother with glasses, walked into my counseling... Read More
My cousin boasts five names and I confess that when... Read More
Many parents seem to be more than a little confused... Read More
More and more kids these days are diagnosed ADD, ADHD,... Read More
Q. "What do you want to be when you grow... Read More
We are all aware of the child obesity epidemic that... Read More
Last night Tom's daughter, Sue, came out of her room... Read More
As the father of a toddler, I am an expert... Read More
1. STOP focusing on what you are going to make... Read More
Most parents can hardly wait for their baby to say... Read More
"Get down from the table top right now! What are... Read More
Public-school teaching is structured in such a way that it... Read More
A growing body of scientific evidence shows that the way... Read More
For first time parents choosing a swing set or outdoor... Read More
"Do not think that love, in order to be genuine,... Read More
Imagine a child who lacks ownership of his own life,... Read More
You are at the grocery store with your daughter and... Read More
Time devoted the better part of an issue to it.... Read More
Ah, there is nothing like being an expectant mom. Along... Read More
My son, Dakota is now 7 yrs old. He is... Read More
Speaking as a Michael (a Hebrew name, meaning "Who is... Read More
1. They are leaders as well as parents. They don't... Read More
You're trying to catch up on some sleep on a... Read More
Most of us really don't like it when someone is... Read More
Finding out that a child has been born with a... Read More
Parenting |