When our children are not with us, will they be OK? When something goes wrong, how will they react? And more importantly, how will they recover? How can we keep our children safe?
Difficulties in life come up. Mistakes happen. Errors in judgment are made -- even our own. There are sometimes complications and harassments at school. What can we do to help our children deal with the stresses and strains of life?
As parents, we can help our children learn skills to develop and recognize the traits found in resilient people. Some kids and teens do well under difficult circumstances, others not at all. There are differences in strengths, weaknesses and personalities. All children need to learn how to be resilient. It does not matter if the problems are big or small; any one of them can take a toll in terms of worry, fear, hesitation,anxiety, depression, etc.
The kids and teens who bounce back tend to have some combination of the same four traits. I’ve put them into an acronym for easy remembering: SAFE.
Someone in my life supports me with unconditional love and guidance.
Asking for help is OK when needed.
Friendliness, likability and respect for others and myself are important to me.
Expressing and solving problems is something I can do.
About Me
- Marjie Braun Knudsen
- Writer & Co-Author of BRAVE: Be Ready and Victory's Easy. Interested in the growing field of positive psychology and helping children to feel confident. Social media & tech will change our world for the better.