Have you ever reinvented yourself whether on purpose or by chance? I know I have many times because life is full of changes. Change can be hard when it’s human nature to be creatures of habit. Whether or not reinvention is intentional, it’s often easier if you’re resilient.
Google’s definition of resilient
But how do we teach our kids to be resilient and to deal with life’s challenges as they come?
It’s not easy and there’s no easy answer.
Googling “teaching kids resilience” returns an overwhelming number of search results featuring lengthy listicles that are designed to make any parent feel inadequate about the level of emotional preparedness imparted through our parenting to date. The do’s and don’ts already weigh heavily on our shoulders, taxing our own resilience. Ironic, no?
If you MUST know how to foster resilience in your kids, these three resources can help. I promise you they were selected because of their practicality and guilt inducing tendencies.
- American Psychological Association’s Resilience Guide for Parents and Teachers that provides practical age appropriate for preschoolers through high schoolers.
- Teaching your child resilience by Mum’s School Zone won’t send you into a parental spiral of guilt thanks to 8 very practical tips that provide concrete ways of teaching resilience through your regular interactions with your children.
- Chelsea Lee Smith of Creative with Kids features prompts for parents to build resilience through simple daily interactions in her post called 25 Everyday Ways to Teach Kids Resilience
Want the Cliff Notes version of the above resources? Fostering resilience comes from nurturing a sense of independence and confidence that ultimately builds healthy kids who can reinvent themselves as they get older and encounter life’s challenges. Conscious conversations show our kids we understand them and allows them to learn problem solving strategies that are useful throughout life.
Kids also need to see examples of resilient individuals who reinvent themselves. Individuals who undergo transformations in books or whose characters develop before your eyes on a movie screen or on television demonstrate that just because you may be quiet and shy today, that doesn’t mean you can’t be a superhero tomorrow. Lessons being learned in real life can be reinforced by content your kids watch or read.
These 18 titles from Netflix help kids of all ages see a new side of themselves, if even that version of themselves is temporary.
Younger Kids
- Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
- Mulan
- Turbo
- The Emperor’s New Groove
- Angelina Ballerina: Pop Star Girls
- Stellaluna
Older Kids
Teens & Parents
This post was inspired through materials received as a Netflix Stream Team Member. No compensation was received but my family does enjoy a complimentary Netflix subscription and other items for my involvement. Images and descriptions courtesy of Netflix.
Awesome resources that sure can help! And the Netflix picks are perfect, like Mulan, it is a favorite of my kids, great movie!