Letting Teens Navigate Challenges Fosters Resilience,expert Says
AMSTERDAM – In a shift โfrom traditional “helicopter parenting,” experts are increasingly โขadvocating for aโข more hands-off approach with teenagers,allowing themโ to experience both positive and negative consequences to โคbuild resilience. Psychologist Marieke Waanders emphasizes that shielding children from allโฃ difficulties hinders their development of crucial โcoping โฃmechanisms.
This advice comes at a โฃtime whenโ concerns are rising about adolescent mental health and theโ pressures faced by young โpeople in aโข hyper-connected world. Waanders’ โinsights offer a framework for parents navigating the complexities of raising โฃteenagers, suggesting that fostering a โsecure emotional base while allowing for independent explorationโข is key. The goal isn’t to avoid challenges for โขchildren, but โto equip them with the “tools”โ to navigateโ challenges themselves.
Waanders explains that a resilient childโข isn’t built โthrough โaโฃ life free of hardship, but through gaining โexperiences – both โpositive and challenging. “The more learning experiences yoru child has had, the more you fill his imaginary toolbox with nice tools that he can โขfall backโข onโค later,” she says. “So don’t be ahead of everything, let โคyourโ child experiment and โmake โmistakes himself. rather,invest in a safe bond,so that he feels safe to share it with you if something bad happens.”
Beyond individual resilience, Waanders highlights the societal importance of raising children who can engage in respectful discourse.She believes teaching children toโ voice their opinions without dismissing others isโข vital in โan era marked by polarization and unfiltered online โคcommentary. “In a time of polarization and โขunfiltered opinions on social media, this is so important. This is the onyl way to stay connected. The ability toโค be resilient andโข take others โinto โคaccountโข not onlyโ makes the individual stronger, but also contributesโ to a healthier society.”
