Resilience

In my work with young families, we present research-based information to help families raise happy and healthy children.  I was looking through some curriculum today and came across a list worth sharing.  The topic is on resilience and how to raise resilient children.  I think this is even more important than trying to raise children who never have a reason to struggle, or suffer, or endure hardship.  God tells us in His Word that in this life there will be trouble......so rather than worry about what could possibly happen to our sweet babies, lets consider this list of things children need to grow up to be resilient.  If we can help our children accomplish these things, then when the storms of life come, they will have tools to cope.  They will be less likely to give up or run in fear.  They will be survivors.  This list is taken from greatkidsinc.org which is an evidence-based curriculum .  

Researchers have found that children need to have the following:  

1.  Felt loved by their mother and father.

2.  Have other people in their lives who loved them and helped to care for them.  

3.  Parents/relatives/friends who often played with them and enjoyed it.

4.  Family members who made them feel better when they were sad or worried.

5.  Felt liked by the parents' friends and neighbors.

6.  Coaches, teachers, youth ministers or other mentors who were there to help them when they were struggling.

7.  Family members who cared about how they were doing in school.

8.  People around them who were optimistic about their family's future.

9.  Household rules and the expectations that they would be followed.

10.  As an older child, people who believed they were capable and could get things done/accomplished.

11.  Encouragement for becoming independent and having a "go-getter" attitude

12:  Dreams and the ability to make them happen.