Starting a mini-series on resilience, grit and empathy. It is so important to help kids acquire these life skills as they are the basic building blocks for success in relationships with others as well as our selves!
The Science of Resilience
Why some children can thrive despite adversity~ Bari Walsh
"When confronted with the fallout of childhood trauma, why do some
children adapt and overcome, while others bear lifelong scars that
flatten their potential? A growing body of evidence points to one common
answer: Every child who winds up doing well has had at least one stable
and committed relationship with a supportive adult."
Read the full article
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"Summer will be here before you know it and the one thing we have learned
over the years is that a summer contract is a game changer.
Kids need to know what is expected of them. Rules need to be signed off
on so that you don’t have to argue all summer. Put this summer contract
in place and if arguments arise refer to it. Make sure you offer tons of
positive reinforcement when they are getting it right!!"
More on the significance of self resiliency, confidence and self esteem! 
"In the "good old days" of college admissions, parents would
show up at my door during the summer before their child's senior year
and ask for help with choosing colleges and getting in. Except in rare
cases, it was assumed that it didn't really matter what a student
majored in; somehow, someday everything would just work out. There were
plenty of jobs for college graduates, regardless of their majors in
college."