By Robert Brooks, Ph.D. and Sam Goldstein, Ph.D.
This is one of my favorite reference books. I think of resilience as the shock absorbers of life. In a car, these devices are designed to absorb and dampen shock impulses and convert one form of energy into another. With children and even ourselves, we want to convert negative energy into positive energy.
Dr. Brooks and Dr. Goldstein present ten guideposts that should be utilized by parents to encourage resilience in their children.
Being empathetic
Communicating effectively and listening actively
Changing “negative scripts”
Loving your children in ways that make them feel special and appreciated
Accepting your children for who they are and helping them set realistic goals
Helping children experience success by identifying and reinforcing ”islands of competence”
Helping children recognize that mistakes are experiences from which to learn
Developing responsibility, compassion, by providing children with opportunities to contribute
Disciplining in a way that promotes self discipline and self worth
Another book by Dr. Brooks and Dr. Goldstein is The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence and Personal Strength in Your Life.
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