With the end of the school year, parents look forward to the easy, breezy summer days, leaving behind the stress of homework, class activities and after-school practices. For parents who may work full or part-time, there is a different reality – summer can be hard and stressful. Families count on the consistency of kids being at school so that the parents can go to work. During the school year, day in and day out, kids have a safe place to learn, grow and get a nutritious meal (or two!).

What will the kids do each day? Who will watch them? What will they have for lunch? How young is too young to leave them home alone? There are only so many day camps and summer programs families can do and afford.

While you may not be able to eliminate these stressors, it’s important to focus on what you can change and how to function well during different challenges. Resilience is one of the most important aspects of parenting. It is the ability to cope with big and small stressors and to grow from the experience. Staying strong through adversity and staying flexible are important components of a family’s resilience. Resilience can come from resources such as faith, humor, supportive relationships and problem-solving skills. Having resilience helps parents give their kids the nurturing care they need even when times are tough.

Recognize Your Resilience

Having resilience helps adults cope with general life stressors, including proactively meeting personal challenges, having self-confidence, and seeking help when you need it. As a caregiver, you experience added stressors from caring for and raising a child. Having resilience as a parent helps you use your inner strength to solve problems, have a positive attitude about your parenting role and continue providing nurturing attention to your child.

Parents often have built resilience during their caregiving journey but haven’t recognized it’s there! Luckily, you can look within to identify your own resilience.

Ask yourself:

• What are your areas of strength?
• When you are under stress, what is most helpful to you?
• How do you celebrate and recognize your family’s race, culture, history and traditions?
• What are the actions that help you cope with everyday stress?
• How have you protected your children from stress and its negative impacts?

During periods of high stress, pausing and engaging in activities to nurture your resilience can be challenging, but it can be just what you need. Taking a break, even for a few minutes, can make a huge difference in your reactions to the challenges in your life.

Build Your Resilience

There are many ways parents can build their resilience. Of course, this can look different for everyone! It comes down to finding activities that “fill your cup” and help manage your stress. If you need a few ideas to get started, you can try to:

• Move your body – with or without your child. Walk, dance, sway, clap, swim – whatever feels accessible.
• Celebrate your successes! Encourage yourself and your kids.
• Take a quiet walk or sit outside and focus on the nature around you.
• Laugh - look for the humor in the situation.
• Tell your child what a good job they’re doing – even when it’s
• Write down things that are bothering you and the things for which you are thankful.
• Listen to your favorite music.
• Meditate or pray.
• Do a mindfulness exercise.
• Talk with a trusted friend or family member.
• Forgive others and yourself.
• Rest - make sleep a priority.
• Go somewhere that is new to you. Remove yourself from your stressful environment, even if it is just for a little while.
• Remind yourself that you can get through this.

These are everyday practices you can use to nurture your resilience. Any effort towards learning to cope with your stressors can go a long way. Use this list to try new ways to nurture your resilience or brainstorm other ways to suit you and your interests better.

Take a minute to think about the ones you already do and those you could incorporate more into your life. Which one will you try today?

Special Contributor: Children’s Trust of South Carolina