September is a time of many changes - new schedules, earlier
bedtimes, and often new schools. Children who are resilient and adaptable cope
best. If you have a child that doesn't do well with new situations or change,
here are 4 tips that will help him bounce back and become more resilient:
1.
Be incompetent so that he becomes competent. In
other words, don't do for your child what he's able to do for himself. Children
soon learn that they survive the initial struggle of being responsible, and
that with time and practice they actually manage better.
2.
Teach your child problem solving skills. Explore various options
together, along with the pros and cons. Contribute your own ideas only as a
last resort - the goal is for the child to experience the process and to feel
comfortable making decisions.
3.
Resist the temptation to protect your child from the results of
her choices. This one is tough for most of us, but critical to the process of
growing resilient kids.
4.
Take comfort in knowing that even if your child is unhappy at
times, she is learning that uncomfortable feelings can be sustained, dealt with
and eventually overcome. This holds true for many feelings, such as
disappointment, embarrassment, frustration, etc. A parent's role is to be
empathetic and supportive, not to "fix it".
Here are a few more resources that can help:
· Attend a Parenting
Course: Raising Great Kids
· Join this upcoming
Teleseminar: The Self-reliant Child
· NY Times Article: Raising Successful Children
Family Event: The Our Kids Private School Expo is happening across
Canada. For information and to register go online to www.ourkids.net/expo.
To get FREE admission use our Parenting Network promocode: PN2012.
Beverley & Doone
416-480-2499
To get FREE admission use our Parenting Network promocode: PN2012.
Beverley & Doone
416-480-2499
