Dear Mr. Dad: Of all the non-material things parents can give to their children, what do you think is the most important?
A: Well, that’s about as close to an impossible question as I’ve ever been asked. Of course, happiness comes to mind. But then so does the ability to form close, loving relationships. So does success (whatever that means). Or a satisfying career. But there’s one trait which, if we can help our children develop it, may contribute to all of the above: resilience.
Resilience is defined in many ways, but one of my favorites comes from Psychology Today. “Resilience is the psychological quality that allows some people to be knocked down by the adversities of life and come back at least as strong as before. Rather than letting difficulties, traumatic events, or failure overcome them and drain their resolve, highly resilient people find a way to change course, emotionally heal, and continue moving toward their goals.”
Fostering a sense of resilience in your children can help them take control of their lives. Here are six steps that will help you achieve that goal.
PRACTICE EMPATHY
Empathy is the ability to see things from someone else’s viewpoint. And the best way to instill it in your children is to model it. So listen closely when they speak—not only to their words, but also to their behavior and their emotions—and let them know that you understand (if you don’t, ask them to explain). Skip the preaching, judgments, and lectures.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Read the rest of this article on Armin’s blog.
