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How can parents build resilience and confidence in their children? When our children experience big emotions, frustration, or setbacks, it’s natural to want to help. You notice your child struggling to tie their shoe? We might quickly do it for them so you can get out the door. Did they come home upset about a disagreement with a friend? We may immediately want to know who hurt them, offer advice, or tell them to stay away from that person. Our instinct to help comes from a good place, but …

Peer pressure is a normal part of growing up, but that does not make it easy for children to navigate. From wanting to fit in with friends to feeling pressured to make choices that go against their values, kids face social influences every day. The good news is that peer pressure resistance is a skill that can be taught and strengthened. Why Teaching Kids About Peer Pressure Matters Children experience peer pressure in many forms. Sometimes it is obvious, such as being encouraged to break rule …

As a mom, I wanted to instill confidence in my three children, but I always feared that if they became overly confident, they would struggle. Confidence is an attribute that will serve a child for life. However, overconfidence can keep kids from growing, learning, and reaching their ultimate potential. At the same time, if children care too much about the opinions of others, they may start to question or doubt their own intrinsic self-worth. As parents, embracing our children for wh …

It’s heartbreaking to learn your child has been the victim of bullying. No matter how you learned this information, be thankful you have it. We sat down with school counselor Jennifer Licate, author of the new easy-read chapter book He’s Not Just Teasing! and the Navigating Friendships book series, for steps parents can follow when they find out their child is being bullied.Q: After the initial shock of finding out your child is being bullied, what do you suggest a parent sho …

Peruse the self-help section of any bookstore and you’ll find dozens of books about self-acceptance. Self-acceptance, or being happy with you are, is an essential component of overall happiness. In fact, most researchers will agree that self-acceptance and one’s overall level of happiness go hand in hand. The more you accept who you are—the good, the bad, and the ugly—the happier you tend to be in life.Most parents will say they just want happy, confident kids. But the reality is we live i …