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
disinfecting cleaning services Arlington Heights ..It's a familiar scene: Kids screaming at each other, complaining... Read More
The biggest complaint you hear from parents about their children... Read More
"Hugging is healthy: it helps the body's immunity system, it... Read More
1 - Forgive even if you will never be able... Read More
It's hard to explain to the uninitiated the changes that... Read More
In a single dose of children's television, I was bombarded... Read More
John was a 43 year-old sales manager at a large... Read More
We all scream for ice cream. Or, we don't, at... Read More
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More
Search for Assurance: The Power of BelongingThe job hunt is... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed being a parent? Do you want... Read More
Many children enjoy TV, and they can learn from it.... Read More
Do you have a young child whose weight or eating... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Whenever parents discuss how to deal with bed wetting, the... Read More
Q. With another school year starting, we are not sure... Read More
Some people can concentrate on an assignment, to the exclusion... Read More
Lead is one of the most dangerous toxins a person... Read More
Parents of teenagers frequently ask what can be done to... Read More
In this form of treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder... Read More
Many parental units are not "techies" and openly admit they... Read More
According to researchers, most children enter school with a good... Read More
Self-reliance and potential are two very important values that I'd... Read More
Kitchens are where everything happens. It's not just where meals... Read More
Child Safety Restraints and children in work vehiclesIf you take... Read More
bathroom cleaning service Mundelein ..Parents are always looking for ways to open up the... Read More
In his recent newsletter "Happy Kids", parenting expert Michael Grose... Read More
Lead is one of the most dangerous toxins a person... Read More
Choosing to leave your child with a caregiver is one... Read More
Like anything else in life, there's a method to the... Read More
Reading is the most important skill that a child must... Read More
For the first year or two of life outside the... Read More
No matter what you say or do, your kids will... Read More
Ok. So you're a dad to be. If you're like... Read More
Q. My teenage son is turning 16 early next year... Read More
In stepfamilies, big holiday expectations can lead to big disappointment--and... Read More
Many families today are blending members from past relationships. It... Read More
Kids today no longer live the kind of privileged lives... Read More
Love, love, love. It makes the world go round. It... Read More
In a single dose of children's television, I was bombarded... Read More
Prenatal intelligence, also known as fetal intelligence, has become a... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Home-schooling provides children with a superior education. Parents can quickly... Read More
Those of you that have children know what an excursion... Read More
Some children practically potty train themselves, while others struggle and... Read More
Even if your teenagers do not use drugs, you still... Read More
"I could have helped you if I would have known,... Read More
Despite serious reductions in funding for arts programs in... Read More
According to the American Sleep Association 70% of all babies... Read More
"I took care of Callie," my three-year-old announced.Callie had been... Read More
Parenting |