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
Alto Pass chicago limos ..Drivers 16 years of age have little driving experience, putting... Read More
Baby names are as diverse as the people to whom... Read More
She slipped her small, soft eight-year-old hand into mine. Her... Read More
We begin forming healthy habits at a young age. With... Read More
In elementary school it's pretty straightforward: bringing in cupcakes to... Read More
It is extraordinary times that we find ourselves in. Change... Read More
The older my daughter gets the more it's sinking in... Read More
If you really want to get your children to eat... Read More
Perhaps I could make a lot of money by founding... Read More
``Mom, can I go to the mall with my friend... Read More
Many families, ours included, have learned that breakfast is eaten... Read More
Most parents at some stage are driven to distraction by... Read More
Children and teenagers are relentlessly bombarded with merchandise that entices.... Read More
Pool safety should be on the minds of every parent... Read More
It's back to school time again. Does the thought of... Read More
Diapers..Changing a dirty diaper is not the best part of... Read More
Did you know that over 75% of teens aged 16-17... Read More
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More
Loving your step-child can be both simple and hard. It... Read More
Start some gardening traditions with your kids. Give them their... Read More
Dear friends here we will charge up our mind with... Read More
Here are ten simple pleasures you can enjoy with your... Read More
"Setting the alarm on Sunday mornings is inhuman?..God should know... Read More
As parents and teachers, sometimes we want to praise, at... Read More
Have you ever sat and watch a child struggle with... Read More
Alto Pass cool limo ..During the assessment process it is of great importance for... Read More
Research literature, recent books, and common sense, all point to... Read More
I have always found the notion of toilet training a... Read More
One of the basic issues we need to understand is... Read More
Despite serious reductions in funding for arts programs in... Read More
Tripping over the shoes and toys that seem to clutter... Read More
Life is full of competition -- even in childhood. Kids... Read More
I was reading "A Modern Infant Armada", a humor column... Read More
From the book Spider's Night on the BoomI've only begun... Read More
Parental Alienation Syndrome was probably first identified and codified by... Read More
For many years underparenting was perhaps the biggest problem facing... Read More
A common theme over the past 20 years has been... Read More
Winnie the Pooh is the classic picture of Inattentive ADHD.... Read More
I really like all natural remedy for Attention Deficit Disorder... Read More
Q: Our son has been in honors classes all through... Read More
In school, kids are encouraged to create, draw, color, paint... Read More
Many families today are blending members from past relationships. It... Read More
This past holiday season Canadians spent over $45 billion-with parents... Read More
Child support is defined as that part of your income... Read More
Time devoted the better part of an issue to it.... Read More
I look out of the window as I am writing... Read More
It's the first day of the summer holiday. Five year-old... Read More
Bedtime and children's sleep habits can cause nightmares - for... Read More
In the first premise, some films and video tapes which... Read More
Most people with children want to be good parents. The... Read More
Parenting |