No Bubble Wrap Needed-You can help build your child’s resilience for life’s ups and downs

Resiliency has become a hot topic in the past few years with so many things happening in the world. And just like in the rest of the world, our youths’ whole world was flipped upside down. On top of having to deal with all those changes, today’s youth are constantly dealing with other challenges like changes in their regular lives, new classrooms, learning new subjects, bullying, etc. Dealing with the uncertainties of growing up in a complex world and even thriving despite all of them takes many skills. One of the most important includes resilience.

To put it simply resiliency is the ability to handle difficult situations and being able to “bounce back” after a challenge or life obstacle. Having resilience does not mean you don’t struggle, but instead you are able to handle the bump in the road and rise above it be better prepared for life’s next bump. And the amazing part is this same skill is one that will allow one to get the most out of the good times!

No Bubble Wrap Needed: As a parent you always want to protect your child and if given the choice you would bubble wrap them. But you can’t. What you can do is prepare them to navigate the world. You’re thinking to yourself, well how do I help my children become more resilient? Where do I even begin? Not to worry, by starting these few simple practices with your family will help build a strong foundation of resilience!

Be Their Support: By showing your child you support and love them as they are, you are helping your child understand they are worthy, and this self-esteem has amazing implications. This unwavering support does not mean you are approving of every decision your child makes or saying go do whatever you want, but rather it is providing that consistent presence of being there.  

When your kid knows someone has their back, this is when they can take those leaps of development. Having that assurance of “I’m not going anywhere” from their parent or guardian allows them to take those (safe) risks with confidence. As a caregiver sometimes you may worry about saying the right thing, when sometimes it’s how you listen and the presence you portray that makes just as much impact.

Keep Things in Perspective: When you child is going through a difficult situation, help them to take a step back and look at the broader picture and long-term perspective. Although your child (and your teen), may not be able to look at the long-term view on their own, you can help them see past the current situation and that the future is good. Having a positive outlook helps children to see the good things in life and keep going even in the hardest of times.

Turn Inward!: Practice becoming more resilient yourself! We can model resilience when choose healthy coping strategies, keeping things in perspective, looking on the bright side of situations, and growing from challenges. By discussing your thoughts and feelings with your kiddos they can learn to benefit from the right emotions, and which ones may undermine their well-being.

7 C’s of Resilience

On top of these foundational components discussed above, much research has been done on the 7 C’s of Resilience that make up a resilient person. This blog barely touched on the surface of all the other skills that help build resilience. Check out the short video below to learn more about them!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTmi4kHor_s

 Remember if you or your family members are struggling to deal with an adverse experience, seek professional help. A therapist or counselor can assist you in increasing your resilience and managing your distress in a healthy way.

 If you would like to learn more about different ways to help build resilience in yourself and family check out these links down below.

·       https://positivepsychology.com/resilience-activities-worksheets/

·       https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience/guide-parents-teachers

MCH Publicity Statement: This project is/was funded in part by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Maternal and Child Health Services Contract #AOC18380095, and is/was supported by the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant #B04MC30623, Maternal and Child Health Services for $12,107,084, of which $0 is from non-governmental sources.  This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

The Power of the Word “Yet”

How can such a simple three letter word can make such a difference in the mindset of your child (and yourself)? You all most likely know the phrase “good things take time, and good things are worth waiting for,” right? Well the word yet helps us to realize just that.

I don’t get this… Yet!

Your choice of words is an important way in which you can create a happy world view, a positive view to open yourself up to new possibilities. Using the word “yet” in negative statements indicates that something has not happened, which opens it up to the possibility that it will happen.

This doesn’t make sense… Yet!

In today’s world of instant gratification and social media, we often don’t see the hard work, practice, and failure that it took to reach the final success. So the next time your child is struggling with something, or says something doesn’t make sense, try using the word yet. You can remind them that deeper understanding takes time. You can remind them that we all need to allow ourselves some more time to ask more questions, work with others to try new strategies, or practice more to master the material or skill.

You’ll be surprised that by using that phrase consistently, changes to their mindset will begin to happen. Using ‘yet’ brings hope. It ignites a ‘can-do’ attitude and creates an encouraging environment that helps build confidence that through perseverance anything is possible.

I’m not good at this… Yet!

The use of the word “yet” when faced with adversity can be a powerful strategy that will support the love of lifelong learning. Such a simple reminder to persevere through the rough spots can be the difference between one who gives up on a problem and one who sees that the answer to a problem will come with more effort, questions, or use of additional strategies. Our lives will always be filled with different obstacles and by helping your child create this growth mindset, they can be better prepared for the future.

I can’t do this… Yet!

Give it a try today with your child (and yourself)! Reward the process, the hard work, and perseverance it takes to get to the end goal. If it helps, print off the power of yet poster and put it on the fridge or place you see it everyday. I think you’ll be surprised by the subtle changes you begin seeing in the whole family!

About the author:

Adam is the Community Engagement Team Lead/Health Educator at the Health Department. Adam has been with JCHD for over 4 years, and in the field of public health for close to 7 years! Adam enjoys working with county youth to help build strong, healthy habits they can take with them for the rest of their lives! In his free time, he enjoys woodworking and hiking with his wife Morgan

MCH Publicity Statement: This project is/was funded in part by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Maternal and Child Health Services Contract #AOC18380095, and is/was supported by the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant #B04MC30623, Maternal and Child Health Services for $12,107,084, of which $0 is from non-governmental sources.  This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

Sipping, Snacking and Tooth Decay

Many parents across the country will issue a common refrain at dinnertime tonight: ―You’d better eat that--it’s good for you!‖ There’s another old favorite in the parental arsenal of dietary admonitions: ―Don’t eat that—it’ll rot your teeth!‖ Now more than ever, kids are faced with a bewildering array of food choices -- from fresh produce to sugar-laden processed convenience meals and snack foods. What children eat and when they eat it may affect not only their general health but also their oral health.

Americans are consuming foods and drinks high in sugar and starches more often and in larger portions than ever before. It’s clear that junk foods and drinks gradually have replaced nutritious beverages and foods for many people. For example, in the U.S., on average, individuals consume approximately 50 gallons of sugary beverages per year! Alarmingly, a steady diet of sugary foods and drinks can ruin teeth, especially among those who snack throughout the day. Common activities may contribute to the tendency toward tooth decay. These include ― grazing habitually on foods with minimal nutritional value, and frequently sipping on sugary drinks. Consuming too much sugar can also affect your overall health, such as becoming overweight/obese, or getting heart disease or type 2 diabetes.

When sugar is consumed over and over again in large, often hidden amounts, the harmful effect on teeth can be dramatic. Sugar on teeth provides food for bacteria, which produce acid. The acid in turn can eat away the enamel on teeth.

Almost all foods have some type of sugar that cannot and should not be eliminated from our diets. Many of these foods contain important nutrients and add enjoyment to eating. But there is a risk for tooth decay from a diet high in sugars and starches. Starches can be found in everything from bread to pretzels to salad dressing, so read labels and plan carefully for a balanced, nutritious diet for you and your kids.

Reduce your children’s risk of tooth decay:

  • Sugary foods and drinks should be consumed with meals. Saliva production increases during meals and helps neutralize acid production and rinse food particles from the mouth.

  • Limit between-meal snacks. If kids crave a snack, offer them nutritious foods.

  • If your kids chew gum, make it sugarless- Chewing sugarless gum after eating can increase saliva flow and help wash out food and decay-producing acid.

  • Monitor beverage consumption – Children should make healthy beverage choices such water and low-fat milk.

  • Help your children develop good brushing and flossing habits. -

  • Schedule regular dental visits