Part 2, Chapter 1, Stressed Family, Strong Family

Chapter 1: Part 2: What a Resilient Child Ought to be Able to Say--
This is Part 2 of the first chapter of Stressed Family, Strong Family

See the earlier post for Chapter 1, Part 1, where we saw the "I HAVE" statements a resilient individual ought to be able to make.

Here are the "I AM" statements a resilient child, teen or adult ought to be able to make.

I AM
• A person people can like and love
• Glad to do nice things for others and show my concern
• Respectful of myself and others
• Willing to be responsible for what I do
• Sure things will be all right

These items cover self-esteem, the feeling that one is OK, worthy, and lovable. The list also reflects a hopeful outlook. The items describe a bond with the family and community.

And here are the same items with some ideas you can try.

I AM (repeat I AM before each statement in bold type below)

A person people can like and love
DO: Show love and support. If not, ask yourself why you don’t. Not done in your culture? Try to do this anyway. Read blogs from parents who do show love and support.
DON’T: allow spouse, brothers, sisters to make fun of caring and love.


Glad to do nice things for others and show my concern
DO: Thank child for what he/she does for you and others.
DO: Get your community to value helping others. Example: form a support group for children in need; celebration and praise for helpers


Respectful of myself and others
DO: Help peers to respect each other’s abilities, wishes.
DO: Respect others in your adult life
DON’T: Allow peers to bully, or to force kids into doing bad things.


Willing to be responsible for what I do
DO: Set adult example of responsibility. (Admit mistakes, don’t steal, cheat or lie--unless you need to in order to survive. Even then, make sure your need is real.)
DO ask: Does community reward responsibility? Punish illegal behavior like drug dealing, etc.


Sure things will be all right
DO: Teach and support hopeful view of future.
DO ask self: If no hope, why not? Too many past family problems? Or caught in crisis involving village, ethnic group or region?
DO ask self: How do others keep up hope? Through faith in higher power? By seeking help?
DO ask self: How can I do the same?
DON’T: Give up hope and learning to cope.

That's the end of Part 2 of the Chapter 1 from Stressed Family, Strong Family.
The complete e-book, Stressed Family, Strong Family is available at www.ebookmall.com ebookmall.com
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