Parenting

Resilience: factors that help children adapt

Resilience factors are protective factors in a child’s life, corresponding to being more resilient and having better health outcomes.

Published

4 years ago

September 14, 2022

bodywisegardens.com

Resilience is the outcome of successfully adapting to challenging life experiences through mental, emotional, and behavioural flexibility, and adjustment to external and internal demands. Resilience factors are protective factors in a child’s life, corresponding to being more resilient and having better health outcomes. The more protective factors are present, the better the chances for children to cope with hardships and adapt positively to difficult circumstances.

Factors that develop resilience

Protective experiences and coping skills counterbalance significant adversity in a child‘s life. Resilience is clear when a child’s health and development have positive outcomes, even when a heavy load of factors is stacked on negative outcomes. Children become resilient when the effect of protective factors outweighs risk factors. Factors that are important to develop resilience are grouped into three general categories namely:

Family factors

These are factors related to good parenting, low family stress, sound parental mental health, absence of substance abuse, and a sense of safety in the family unit.

Individual factors

An individual needs to have adaptive emotional skills, perception of control, ability to affect own life, self-esteem and self-efficacy, sense of purpose, acquisition of social and communication skills, empathy, a sense of humour, higher intellectual capacity and cognitive competencies.

Community factors

Human beings exist in a community. Factors related to community are also essential in resilience development in children. A community with supportive extended family members’ engagement, supportive relationships with mentors, positive early years experiences and exposure to extracurricular activities, a safe neighbourhood, presence of social support, and being part of a religious community are important elements in promoting children’s resilience.

Protective factors that promote children’s resilience

Despite facing difficulties, many children display well-being and positive change. Emerging research continues to examine what protective factors promote children’s resilience and how they can support prevention and intervention efforts for children and their families. Here are some of the protective factors within individuals, families, and their communities.

Presence of a loving and supportive adult

Research suggests that the single most common factor in how children overcome adversity in life is having at least one loving, consistent, and supportive parent. Children benefit when we recognize and preserve important connections that provide them with nurturing and security.

Positive self-perceptions

Self-perception refers to how children think about themselves, their skills and capabilities, and their sense of control. Positive self-perceptions can be nurtured by recognizing children’s efforts, supporting them in setting short-term goals, and assisting them to learn from setbacks.

Self-regulation skills

Self-regulation skills enable children to manage their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours when they feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and anxious. Parents need to scaffold and support their children by helping them navigate difficult situations through a process until they can handle challenges on their own.

Connection to faith and culture

Having a connection to faith and culture is important to children in their early years. Children who are involved in cultural or faith groups may be better positioned to navigate adversity since they benefit from the support of a network of people who share similar values and beliefs with positive messages conveyed by spiritual, cultural, or religious traditions helping children overcome difficulties.

Parenting competencies

Parents need to have competencies, such as responding to children’s needs, expressing emotional warmth, providing support, and building strong parent-child attachment and bonding. Research shows that parenting competencies are well linked to better outcomes for children exposed to adversity and trauma. Depending on the parenting style, used children may benefit and develop resilience.

Mother’s well being

The well-being of the mother plays a critical role in building resilience. Children whose mothers experience positive mental health display increased resilience and better outcomes than those others exposed to adversity. Ensuring the promotion of health and well-being of mothers is important to support children in building resilience.

Positive home/school environment

How children respond to protective factors depends on many interacting influences in the child’s, family, and community environments. Promoting these protective factors can help build children’s resilience and support their well-being and health. Schools can support children to believe in their abilities to achieve and provide them with intellectual and emotional tools. Children’s mental health and well-being can be further strengthened when schools incorporate social-emotional learning approaches.

Conclusion

Understanding why some children do well despite adverse early experiences is crucial, to inform policies and programs to help more children exploit their full potential and reduce the effects of significant adversity on children’s healthy development. Parents play a big role in helping children learn to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity through strengthening protective factors.

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The article was written by Dr. Catherine Gichuba, CEO and Lead Consultant at Regional Social Consultants Agency (RESCA).

Cover Story

The joy of controlled freedom in parenting

Published

2 weeks ago

March 27, 2026

bodywisegardens.com

Parenting often revolves around setting boundaries and ensuring children follow rules. While discipline is essential, there is a hidden joy and power in saying “yes” to your child more often. Allowing controlled freedom can be a game-changer in fostering independence, confidence, and resilience in your child.

The Power of Yes

Saying “yes” doesn’t mean giving in to every whim or desire. Instead, it’s about choosing moments where your child can explore their world with freedom.

Whether it’s allowing them to choose their outfit for the day or letting them plan a family outing, these small moments of empowerment build self-esteem.

Building Confidence Through Freedom

Children thrive when they feel trusted. By saying “yes” to reasonable requests, you’re telling your child that you believe in their ability to make decisions.

This trust translates into confidence as they learn to navigate their choices, understanding the consequences and rewards that come with them.

Creating Safe Boundaries

While saying “yes” is powerful, it’s crucial to establish safe boundaries. These boundaries ensure that your child’s freedom doesn’t lead to harm.

For example, you might say, “Yes, you can play outside, but stay where I can see you.” This approach allows freedom within a safe framework, giving your child the space to grow while keeping them protected.

Encouraging Problem-Solving Skills

When you allow your child to make decisions, you’re also teaching them to solve problems. They learn to think critically about their choices, weighing options, and considering outcomes. This skill is invaluable, as it prepares them for real-world challenges.

The Lasting Impact

The simple act of saying “yes” more often can have a profound impact on your child’s development. It’s a way to show trust, build confidence, and encourage independence.

So next time your child asks for something, consider the power of “yes.” It might just be the best answer you give all day.

For more, click HERE to join our WhatsApp channel!

Cover Story

The joy of controlled freedom in parenting

Published

2 weeks ago

March 27, 2026

bodywisegardens.com

The Power of Yes

Saying “yes” doesn’t mean giving in to every whim or desire. Instead, it’s about choosing moments where your child can explore their world with freedom.

Whether it’s allowing them to choose their outfit for the day or letting them plan a family outing, these small moments of empowerment build self-esteem.

Building Confidence Through Freedom

Children thrive when they feel trusted. By saying “yes” to reasonable requests, you’re telling your child that you believe in their ability to make decisions.

This trust translates into confidence as they learn to navigate their choices, understanding the consequences and rewards that come with them.

Creating Safe Boundaries

While saying “yes” is powerful, it’s crucial to establish safe boundaries. These boundaries ensure that your child’s freedom doesn’t lead to harm.

Encouraging Problem-Solving Skills

The Lasting Impact

The simple act of saying “yes” more often can have a profound impact on your child’s development. It’s a way to show trust, build confidence, and encourage independence.

So next time your child asks for something, consider the power of “yes.” It might just be the best answer you give all day.

For more, click HERE to join our WhatsApp channel!

Lifestyle

Too Late for What? Finding Your Own Pace in a Fast-Paced World

Published

2 weeks ago

March 26, 2026

bodywisegardens.com

In today’s fast-paced world, success is no longer just an achievement; it has become a timeline. Many young people feel an invisible pressure to have their lives “figured out” before they turn 30, a stable job, financial independence, a clear career path, and in some cases, even marriage and children. But who set this deadline, and what happens to those who don’t meet it?

For many young adults, especially in urban settings, the pressure begins early. From school systems that prioritise academic excellence to families that celebrate early milestones, success is often framed as something that must be achieved quickly. Social media adds a layer of curated lifestyles of young entrepreneurs, influencers, and professionals who live what appears to be a perfect life. The comparison is constant and, for some, overwhelming.

Reality, however, is far less linear. Not everyone follows the same path. Some individuals take time to discover their passions, switch careers, or face setbacks that delay their progress. Yet, rather than being seen as part of growth, these delays are often viewed as failures. This perception can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, and, in some cases, burnout as young people push themselves to meet expectations.

Parents play a significant role in shaping this narrative. While many have good intentions, wanting their children to succeed and be secure, the way success is communicated can sometimes add pressure. Saying things like “you need to be settled by now” or “your age mates are already ahead” can unintentionally create a sense of inadequacy. Instead of motivation, such statements may lead to fear-driven achievement.

Also Read: Parenting Progress for a Thoughtful Generation

It is also important to question what success truly means. For some, it is financial stability. For others, it may be personal fulfilment, career growth, or the ability to live independently. By narrowing success to a fixed timeline, society risks ignoring the diversity of individual journeys. A 28-year-old still exploring career options is not necessarily behind; they may be in a different phase of discovery.

Mental health is another critical factor often overlooked in this race. The pressure to be successful before 30 can lead to constant stress and comparison, making young people feel like they are always falling short. In extreme cases, this pressure can lead to depression or a sense of hopelessness, especially when achievements don’t come as quickly as expected.

So, what can parents and society do differently?

First, there is a need to define success beyond age. Success should be measured by growth, effort, and resilience, not just milestones achieved by a certain birthday. Encouragement should focus on progress rather than comparison. A child who is still figuring things out at 27 should be supported, not judged.

Second, open conversations are key. Parents should create safe spaces where children can talk about their struggles without fear of criticism. Understanding that life is not a straight path allows for more empathy and guidance rather than pressure.

Lastly, society must embrace the idea that everyone’s journey is different. Some people bloom early, others are late bloomers, and both are valid. Success is not a race with a fixed finish line, but a journey with many different routes.

Turning 30 should not feel like a deadline for achievement, but rather a checkpoint, a moment to reflect, grow, and continue building a meaningful life, not rushed.

Also Read: Raising children to be successful adults

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