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Tag: Emotional resilience in kids

24 Jun 2026

The Benefits of Boredom for Kids

Summer break is here. Routines disappear, structure shifts, and for many families, technology becomes the easiest way to fill the day.

When it isn’t an option, that’s when you might hear those familiar words: “I’m bored.”

Without it, our instinct is often to make suggestions or figure out something for our kids to do. Truth be told I did suggest vacuuming 🙂

Sometimes the hardest part of our child’s boredom isn’t their discomfort. It’s our discomfort.

I realized recently that when my son lost his technology privileges for two weeks, his first response was, “What am I going to do now?”

If I’m being honest, his boredom was uncomfortable for me. It was distracting and annoying. It would have been much easier to solve the problem for him. Then I would have gotten some much-needed peace and quiet.

But I didn’t step in.

After a few days, something shifted.

He started finding things to do. He got creative. He even began playing with the younger kids on our street and teaching them how to play baseball. None of that would have happened if I had rushed in to solve his boredom.

That experience reminded me that boredom isn’t something we always need to solve.

If we can sit with our own discomfort long enough to step back, our children often discover they never needed us to fix it. They just needed space to figure it out themselves.

This is what I know: Sometimes the greatest gift we can give our kids isn’t another solution. It’s the chance to discover what they’re capable of.

Until next time…

17 Jun 2026

Courage Isn’t the Absence of Nervousness

After my presentation, I invited a Grade 3 student to come up and answer two questions.

He was nervous, but he raised his hand anyway and joined me.

Afterward, he shared something powerful. He said learned that it’s possible to feel nervous and still be brave and calm.

That moment stayed with me.

What he discovered is something many children – and adults – are still learning:

Being nervous doesn’t have to stop you.

What courage really looks like

We often think courage comes before stepping into something uncomfortable.

But it’s actually found in the moment you raise your hand, speak up, or try something new while your heart is racing and your stomach is full of butterflies.

That’s when you learn something powerful: courage isn’t the absence of nervousness. It’s feeling nervous and choosing to move forward anyway.

And when you do, everything changes.

This is what I know: Nervousness doesn’t get the final say. Just ask the student in grade 3.

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…

16 Apr 2025

Pausing – Your Secret Super Power

Sometimes kids say things that hurt—words that feel disrespectful. In those moments, it’s natural to react. But here’s something to consider:

When we don’t react—when we take a pause instead of reacting—a shift can happen—our kids reflect on what they’ve said. And in that reflection, they often come back with something like, “I’m sorry I said that.”

What happens when we do react? The focus shifts. Their reflection turns into defensiveness. Instead of thinking about their words, they’re now thinking about ours. And often their question becomes: “Well, are you going to say sorry too?”

This is what I know: Next time your child says something disrespectful, try taking a pause instead of reacting. Giving the moment space doesn’t mean you’re okay with the behavior. It means you’re giving them a chance to think about what they said—and that’s often when the apology comes.

Until next time…