Resilience

Of all the hats I'm wearing these days, my mothering hat is the most important to me. I'm always trying to be a better person, but knowing how much it impacts my girls, I'm really trying to be a better mother. In so many ways, it was easier when they were younger. Diaper changes and midnight awakenings seem so much easier to handle than purple hair and questionable attire.

I went to a talk by Dr. Ken Ginsberg last night on building resilience in children (and teens) that has given me a lot to think about and the tools I learned have already been helpful in my interactions with my girls. Focusing on the process, rather than the result and building character and coping strategies resonated with me quite a bit last night. Also, he emphasized raising children who are kind and are helpful to those around them as a core goal rather than what college they will go to or what career they will choose (not that those aren't important but once achieved, then what?).

Lots of good reminders and plenty of new things were shared last night. I can't wait to read his books.