Wellbeing MATTERS!
Welcome Benvenuto
At this time of year, we celebrate fathers, father figures or that special person that is a guide and mentor for us during our life’s journey. They can impart with us many qualities and life skills. Some are taught. Some are absorbed by mere association. Resilience is one such attribute. It is said that we cannot teach resilience.
When someone is resilient, they are better able to cope with difficulties encountered in their lives. When it comes to children, some are naturally more resilient than others, their temperament allows them to deal with problems, difficulties or disappointments and recover without too much fuss or stress. However, not every child will have this natural resilience and will need your support to help build skills and confidence to deal with life’s challenges and recover to move forward. To help you to support your child to continue to become more resilient, here are some important understandings and tips to support their journey.
Resilience is our ability to cope with challenges and recover from difficult times.
The most common factor among children who demonstrate resilience is a strong relationship with a supportive parent, caregiver, or other adult. A father is often seen as a solid foundation for safety and security. Because of this, children often look to their fathers as a role model of how to react in different or difficult situations.
Top Tips
- Demonstrate a positive attitude towards challenges yourself. Talk about them as opportunities to learn and improve.
- Support their positive sense of self. Help them to develop a positive sense of who they are, how they feel about themselves and what they can do.
- Build coping skills. Talk to your child about how to develop strategies for dealing with difficult situations.
- Help them to find solutions to problems. Ask questions like, “What could you do?” and “What do you think?” “What would you do if that happened to you?” Try not to always solve the problems for them.
- Allow them to take on healthy challenges and risks. Provide opportunities for them to build confidence by taking on challenges and encourage them to work through problems and dilemmas.
- Help them to take on responsibilities. Start with the basics like caring for their own belongings, making their own bed, chores e.g., feeding the pets. This helps to build their sense of capability.
As we celebrate the men or father figures in our life, here are a couple of organisations that offer support, tips and help to navigate the role of parenting so we can be the BEST parent we can. Take some time to explore these:
The Men’s Table is a safe place to share and be heard in a confidential and non-judgemental environment, creating a greater sense of belonging, camaraderie and connection.
The Fathering Project positively impacts fathering behaviour and fathers’ engagement with children through evidence-rich programs and resources that engage, equip and support fathers, families, schools, employers and community organisations.
https://thefatheringproject.org/
If ever you need help sorting out personal or family issues, give CatholicCare Victoria a call. They offer many services to all members of our community – ALL FREE.
Have a wonderful fortnight.
Be safe. Stay warm. Keep well.
Niente Senza Gioia
Dom POPPA
Pastoral Wellbeing Leader
