building resilience in kids Archives

Resilience Isn’t What You Think

Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from what happened.

It’s about bouncing back from how it made your child feel.

When kids face challenges – a friend is unkind, a game is lost, or a mistake is made – the hardest part to manage is often their emotional reaction, not the event itself.

If a setback doesn’t trigger strong feelings, a child may move on quickly. But if it sparks anger, sadness, embarrassment, or frustration, they’re now navigating not only the circumstance, but also the intense emotions inside their body and brain.

That’s why kids emotional resilience isn’t about ignoring feelings or pushing them away. It’s about noticing emotions, understanding them, and learning how to respond in a way that helps them move forward.

I’ve created 3 kid-friendly resources you can download to help them:

Reflect on what they’re feeling (elephant poster)
Notice the emotional impact of challenges (body poster)
Practice moving forward with confidence, compassion, and clarity instead of getting stuck in the emotion (find your calm poster)

This is what I know: Each time a child pays attention to their feelings and responds calmly and clearly, they’re building skills that will help them handle the next challenge with more ease and confidence – a key part of kids emotional resilience in everyday life.

Until next time…

15 Oct 2025

More Than Just Trophies

In my last newsletter, I wrote about celebrating small wins for adults – those little moments that make life feel lighter, more meaningful, and remind us we’re making progress.

I began to wonder how kids see wins in their own lives, so I asked my son about small wins. He looked at me and said, “I don’t know what you mean.”

I decided to try a different question: “What’s a big win?”

At first, he said, “Winning a hockey tournament.” Then, after a pause, he changed his answer: “Having fun.”

That made me realize – this is exactly why the benefits of play for kids are so important.

For kids, it’s freedom, curiosity, and connection. It’s laughter with friends, trying new skills, and discovering what excites them. It’s the courage to stumble, get back up, and try again without fear of failure. These moments help them manage their emotions and take a break from life’s pressures, giving them space to recharge.

When children are fully engaged in what they love, they experience the benefits of play for kids firsthand – building confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Joy, curiosity, and playfulness shape their character, friendships, and how they see the world.

This is what I know: Next time you see kids laughing, playing, or absorbed in what they love, remember – these aren’t just playtime moments. They’re opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. These are the big wins that don’t come with trophies.

Until next time…