What is resilience, and why does it matter?
Resilience is the ability to handle life's ups and downs.
All kids need to learn how to identify and express their feelings.
All kids need to learn how to problem-solve.
All kids need to learn that failing doesn’t make them a failure.
All kids need to learn resilience.
That’s where Raising Resilience comes in.
The goal of the Raising Resilience initiative is to give all parents and caregivers the tools they need to make the shift from reacting in the moment to proactively teaching kids how to cope with challenges, manage stress and ultimately make healthy decisions throughout their lives.
Resilience at every stage of development
From navigating feelings to building independence and problem-solving, we’ve got you covered with tips and strategies for building your child’s resilience as they grow.
If your first thought is that building resilience in your child sounds like a lot of work, or that it’s one more thing to add to your already full parenting to-do list, you’re not alone. The thing is: Sometimes it’s not about doing more.
It’s about doing things a little differently. Resilience is built in little, everyday moments. Let us help you see how the seemingly small things we do with our kids can be opportunities to help them learn, grow and build resilience.
Learn how you can develop resilience in kids at different ages.
Sign up for Strong4Life newsletters
Interested in hearing more from the experts at Strong4Life?
In addition to signing up for Raising Resilience emails, you can also sign up to receive our general Strong4Life newsletter with helpful tips on everything from helping your kids develop a healthy relationship with food to keeping them safe at home, in the car and around water.
Sign Up-
Embracing All of Mia: Raising Resilience
Meet Mia. Like all kids, Mia was born with the capacity to become resilient. But she's going to need help along the way. We can't control everything that happens to our kids, but we can prepare them with the tools they need to cope with challenges, manage stress and make healthy choices. We can teach our kids--at any age--to be resilient in the face of life's ups and downs. -
Resilience and Emotional Wellness
In addition to wanting our kids to be physically well, we also want them to be emotionally well. Life can be stressful, and kids need our help learning how to handle (and grow from) life’s ups and downs. Teaching kids how to identify and express their emotions, communicate, and manage stress in healthy ways is a great place to start.
-
Connecting With Your Kids
Connecting with your kids isn’t always easy, but it’s not impossible. Resilient children are better able to handle life’s ups and downs, and staying connected to your child is one of the many ways you can help.
-
Grounding Your Body and Mind
Stress is a normal part of everyday life, and we can all can learn strategies to help us manage stress (including kids). Teaching healthy coping skills, like grounding, can help children manage their emotions and build resilience, so they can handle life’s ups and downs.
-
Managing Big Emotions
When children don’t have the ability to express themselves with words, they show us with their behavior. Kids need help learning how to deal with emotions in healthy ways. Teaching coping skills, like deep breathing, can help children manage their emotions and build resilience, so they can handle life’s ups and downs.
-
Setting Limits
It’s normal behavior for children to test limits, and setting limits can be one of the hardest parts of parenting. At the same time, setting—and sticking to—consistent limits and boundaries can help kids thrive and build resilience (the ability to handle life’s ups and downs).
-
If you or a loved one are experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) at 1-800-715-4225. You can also chat or text for support by downloading the MyGCAL app in the app store or on Google Play. For those outside of Georgia, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. Any thoughts of suicide should be taken seriously.