13 Reasons You'll Want To Build Resilience In Your Family
My family and I have been fortunate to come through our tests and trials together and in one piece. I know many families are not that lucky when life’s storms rage across their lives. In my first marriage, we fell apart under the pressure. For others, the fallout can often result in estrangement, death or divorce. The qualities of Resilience and Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) can solve numerous problems in families, helping them endure hardship, manage stress, cope with loss, and turn adversities into opportunities for growth and strengthening of familial bonds.
Here' are 13 reasons why you will want to build resilience in your family:
Coping with Loss or Change: Whether it's the loss of a loved one, a job loss, or any significant life change, such events can disrupt family harmony and cause considerable distress. Resilience allows families to navigate through these challenging times, to recover more quickly, and to return to a sense of normalcy. PTG, on the other hand, helps families see beyond the loss or change, enabling them to grow, find new meaning, and make positive changes as a result of their experience.
Parenting Challenges: Raising children, especially teenagers, can present a wide range of challenges, from behavioral issues to academic problems. Parents who embody resilience are better equipped to handle these challenges, and to model these coping skills for their children. PTG allows parents to use difficult situations as opportunities to teach their children about growth, strength, and the potential for positive change following adversity.
Stress Management: Family life can be stressful, with the demands of work, school, extracurricular activities, and more. Resilience aids in managing and mitigating this stress, helping family members bounce back after a challenging day or week. PTG can help family members view stressful situations as potential catalysts for growth and personal development, reducing the negative impact of stress over time.
Conflict Resolution: Disagreements and conflict are inevitable in family life. Resilience can help family members handle these situations without succumbing to overwhelming negativity or stress. PTG can guide families to learn from these conflicts, improving their communication and understanding in the future.
Facing Health Issues: When a family member faces a serious health issue or disability, it can place enormous strain on the entire family. Resilience provides the strength and endurance to manage these situations, supporting one another through difficult times. PTG offers a path to find new meaning, appreciation, and positive transformation despite the health crisis.
Managing Financial Difficulties: Financial struggles can create a significant amount of stress and discord in families. Resilience provides the fortitude to cope with financial hardship, make necessary adjustments, and remain hopeful for the future. PTG can help families discover new pathways for financial stability and grow stronger from their experiences.
Problems When Families Lack Resilience and Post-Traumatic Growth
Strained Bonds: Fragile relationships and communication breakdowns hinder family connections.
Ineffective Problem-Solving: Challenges and conflicts go unresolved, leading to ongoing issues and no constructive solutions.
Negative Emotional Atmosphere: Increased stress, tension, and reduced well-being prevail within the family unit.
Limited Coping Skills: Difficulty managing emotions and prolonged recovery from unexpected events or trauma.
Lack of Adaptability: Inflexibility hampers adjusting to changes in routines and family dynamics.
Interpersonal Distance: Feelings of isolation and disconnection prevail, causing a lack of support.
Stagnant Growth: Missed opportunities for personal and collective development.
By nurturing resilience and embracing post-traumatic growth, families can strengthen bonds, effectively solve problems, promote positivity, develop coping skills, adapt to change, foster support, and thrive together.
How resilient are you? Check your progress here.
