How to Raise Tough Kids Part 2, A Vacation Checklist, and Giant Sunflowers
How to Raise Tough Kids Part 2, A Vacation Checklist, and Giant Sunflowers
Dear Awesome parent,
It's almost August - that time of year when we collectively realize we only have one month left of summer and we must plan our vacation Right. Now. Given all that, we've prepared a short checklist to help you plan your vacation as intentionally as possible.
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How to Raise Tough Kids, Part 2
We and respect admire people who’re tough. Astronauts, members of elite military units, extreme athletes, and firemen are all tough. The world over, being tough is regarded as a good thing. And we want our kids to be tough because we know it’ll help them succeed in life.
But that raises the question:
What exactly does it mean for a kid to be tough?
Does it mean they can fight another kid and win?
They don’t cry when they’re injured or their feelings are hurt?
They excel at a physically demanding sport? (Football, hockey, rugby, motocross, etc….)
They relish risky activities?
They don’t whine or complain?
They don’t give up when faced with adversity?
They stand up for themselves so they don’t get pushed around?
They do hard things that others can’t or won’t do?
For kids, being tough can mean any of these things. Some are physical and some more mental, but most will earn them notice and status from peers, family, and even strangers.
Some kids seem to be naturally tough and some… not as much. The good news is that toughness can be developed. No matter where on the “toughness” scale our kids are, they can get tougher. It’s like a muscle we can help them train.
So, if toughness can be developed, what aspect of toughness should parents focus on to give their kids the biggest boost towards a successful life?
Angela Duckworth, a psychologist and researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, makes a compelling case that grit - a combination of passion and the ability to stick with something even in the face of adversity, setbacks, and failure - is the single biggest predictor of success in life. More than IQ. More than talent.
She’s studied West Point cadets, Ivy League grads, and national spelling bee finalists. In all cases, grit is the personality trait that best predicts success. Other researchers have studied elite military units, job retention, high school graduation, and marriage. Across the board, grittier people do better.
Here’s a short video where she talks about the connection between grit, effort, and perseverance.
Given all that, shouldn’t we be working on helping our kids develop grit and perseverance? Oh yes, we should! And we will. Next week we’ll look into best practices to help our kids develop the mentality that will help them persevere in the face of challenges and get that coveted title: gritty kid.
The Vacation Checklist
“Ah, vacation time! It’ll be great!”
Then reality sets in. Everybody in your family has a different idea of how to have a great vacation.
The big question becomes obvious: How do you increase your chances that everybody has a good time?
Note: Some like to wing it. Others love a good plan. This is for all you planners. 😁
Here’s our “Greater likelihood of a good time” Vacation Checklist:
Sunflowers
Catherine and her patch of giant sunflower plants:
