The word “resilience” is being tossed around a lot lately — in reference to sports teams, the environment, communities and, perhaps most of all, parenting and children.
The concept has even captured the attention of some lawmakers. The Utah Legislature, for example, saw fit to enact a new law to protect parents who aim to inculcate resilience in their children by allowing them to play without supervision.
If you do a quick Google search of the phrase “parents resilience” or “raising resilient children,” dozens upon dozens of search results pop up, ranging from news and scholarly articles to blog posts from educators and parents.
So what, exactly, is resilience, and why is it important?
Correspondent Kelly Burch decided to find out for this edition of Valley Parents.
The definition of the concept, even when used by researchers and professionals, doesn’t depart radically from our basic notion of the term: Resilience is simply the ability to bounce back from difficulties.
From a parent’s perspective, it alludes to allowing children to struggle and work out problems on their own.
But Burch’s reporting indicates that it doesn’t have to be a major problem. It might involve little more than simply letting children face their own challenges, Burch was told by Christy Whipple, the head of school at Newport Montessori. Young children, for example, might be left alone to try to tie their own shoes before stepping in to help them.
“We’re creating opportunities for them to have ownership over things and developing their sense of confidence and self-worth,” Whipple said.
Resiliency is also important from a health perspective. Dr. Louis DiNicola, a pediatrician who is now the medical director of primary care at Gifford Health Care in Randolph, was at the forefront of the movement and he saw firsthand how important developing resiliency is in his patients.
“Resiliency, in my mind, means the ability to succeed when faced with stress or adversity,” DiNicola told Burch.
Melony Williams, a licensed clinical mental health counselor at TLC Family Resource Center in Claremont, told Burch that “adverse childhood experiences” might have long-range effects on children. These refer to more serious challenges faced by children, including situations such as poverty, divorce or family members struggling with addiction.
“I really focus on that hope message: knowing that one person can make a difference,” Williams told Burch about her work in helping children overcome these challenges.
When it comes to resiliency, it apparently doesn’t always require a village to raise a child. That’s encouraging news, and we hope this issue of Valley Parents helps readers move beyond the buzzwords and learn how they can make a difference in the lives of children.
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
