How to Help Teenagers Embrace Stress - The New York Times

As the new school year begins across the country, students (and parents) will inevitably begin to feel the stress of academic demands. This NY Times article, by psychologist Lisa Damour, reminds us that growth cannot occur without approaching life’s challenges, whether in school or in everyday life.

“…we should appreciate that healthy stress is inevitable when we operate at the edge of our abilities. Stretching beyond familiar limits doesn’t always feel good, but growing and learning — the keys to school and much of life — can’t happen any other way.”

NY Times article - To Raise Resilient Kids, Be a Resilient Parent

This helpful article in the NY Times highlights a major point I see in my practice, whether it be the young adult who has been overly protected in life thus never experiencing adverse emotions, or the parent who is so nurturing that they fear for any emotional discomfort for their child.

Part of life is to experience the good and the bad; one cannot feel happiness without feeling sadness. 

Being a parent is the most challenging job and I understand the initial instinct for many is to protect their child from any discomfort. As shared in the article, Take a Breath and Let Emotions Happen. You are doing the best you can. Allowing your child to experience discomfort is part of being a good parent; validate, acknowledge the emotions and allow your child to build their own sense of worth by getting through an adverse experience. By being resilient yourself you are raising a child to become resilient.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/28/well/family/to-raise-resilient-kids-be-a-resilient-parent.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share