parenting advice for resilience Archives

30 Oct 2025

Gratitude in the Unexpected

When you choose to only focus on what you expected to achieve or what you wanted to occur, a mindset shift for gratitude helps you notice the learning and opportunities that can come from life’s detours.

When I was travelling to BC, I expected that my holiday would be stress free – a time to relax and have fun.

Then the detour happened…my purse with all my ID was stolen. I was sad, angry, disappointed and overwhelmed.

Awhile later my mum suggested I write 3 things I could be grateful for from this disheartening incident.

I was shocked. What could I possibly appreciate?

I decided to give it a try.

I took pen to paper and wrote:

1. The kindness and generosity of the people around me who wanted to replace the items in my purse.

2. My brother-in-law (a police officer) immediately started to find ways to get me new identification so I could board the plane home.

3. A fun shopping trip with my mum to replace my purse.

When I chose to focus on what I appreciated rather than what I expected, a mindset shift for gratitude made it easier to let go of the tough emotions I was experiencing, and I was able to bounce back much quicker than I normally would.

Next time your child is facing a challenging time or a tough emotion, ask them to write or tell you 3 things they are grateful for to help them bounce back to move forward.

This is what I know: A mindset shift for gratitude works – not only for kids but also adults!

Until next time…

Crash Course on Resilience for Kids (Part Two)

As children navigate the ups and downs of growing up, resilience is a necessary tool to guide them throughout their journey into adulthood.

We can’t change that they will face challenges along the way. What we can do is give them resilience-enhancing strategies so these challenges don’t break them.

Implementing the strategies provided in this message, combined with those shared in my previous newsletter, will enable kids to face challenges with courage, learn from setbacks and foster a positive mindset.

1. When they view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, it transforms their way of thinking and gives them hope. This change in mindset helps them handle problems, recover from tough times and learn from the experience.

2. They can be confident and have self-doubt, be brave and feel anxious, be afraid and excited – all at the same time. Teaching children to embrace the complexity and often the discomfort of their emotional experiences enhances their ability to navigate the unpredictable journey of life.

3. Since the brain can only concentrate on one thought at a time, deliberately choosing to focus on gratitude becomes a powerful practice for building resilience. By regularly thinking about what they are thankful for, children realize that they have the ability to choose the thoughts they focus on.

4. Building a support network strengthens resilience. Joining a club, sports team, volunteering, connecting with family members and friends creates connection and belonging.

By providing your kids with these resilience-enhancing strategies, you will see their challenges turn into triumphs, setbacks into stepping stones and problems into opportunities.

Until next time…