We all want what is best for our children in life. We want them to grow into healthy and happy adults. Part of being mentally healthy is to have good resilience. But how do we help our child to build resilience? What does resilience even mean?

What Is Resilience?

If we are resilient we are more likely to be able to cope well with life’s challenges. Resilience helps us to grow and step outside of our comfort zones. We are more likely to use healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress, tragedies and even traumatic events. We are less likely to develop mental health issues including anxiety and depression.

Resilience is a quality and a skill that we can be taught. Unlike other mental health skills which we can be taught when things are going well or badly we actually need challenges in order to learn more resilience. So what components make up resilience?

The 7 C’s Of Resilience.

Dr Kenneth Ginsburg, child pediatrician, proposed that there are 7 integral and interrelated components that make up being resilient. These are:

1. Competence: This is the “know how” of effectively handling stressful situations. In other words, the coping strategies needed to face most challenges that a rise. Plus an opportunity to practice these skills so that the child feels competent when the stressful situation arises.
2. Confidence which is rooted in competence and thus the child learns to believe in their own abilities.
3. Connection, especially to you as their parent and other close family, friends and community. Its gives them a stronger sense of belonging and security.
4. Character covers a number of things from having a strong self of self, confidence, empathy, empowerment, to values. When children have a strong sense of identity they can be more empowered to make wiser choices in their lives.
5. Contribution to their community and others. As the child realizes their contributions matter and are appreciated so too does their resilience grow. Contribution also increases competence, character and connection.
6. Coping skills that enables the child to be more effective and better prepared for situations and people they may encounter. These coping skills would include social skills and stress/anxiety reduction techniques.
7. Control over their choices, decision and actions. If a child realizes they do have control over these they can realize that they have the power to change things.

If you feel you need to build your own resilience then check out my blog for adults here.

My Workbooks.

I have a number of workbooks you might find helpful in my shop or on Amazon. You will find all links to these workbooks here.