How to Raise Resilient Children Without Treating Every Inconvenience Like a National Emergency
Apparently, raising resilient children has become complicated. Previous generations gave their children a house key, a vague warning about strangers, and instructions to return before the streetlights came on. Today, some parents track their children with satellites, negotiate bedtime like international diplomats, and email teachers because little Brayden received a B-minus and may now require a restorative weekend in the mountains. We have somehow convinced ourselves that good parenting means removing every sharp edge from childhood. No disappointment. No boredom. No consequences. No playground disagreement that cannot be escalated to six adults, a school administrator, and a strongly worded group text. Then we wonder why some children experience a minor setback as though the universe has personally betrayed them. The recent Atlantic introduction to Raising Resilient Children makes an important point: There is no flawless formula for raising a child. Children have different personali...