About this item
Confronting the overwhelming amount of stress kids face today, this invaluable guide offers coping strategies for facing the combined elements of academic performance, high achievement standards, media messages, peer pressure, and family tension.The handbook acknowledges that adolescents commonly survive stress by either indulging in unhealthy behaviors or giving up completely, and its suggested solutions are aimed at strengthening resilience. The proposed plan enables kids from the age of 18 months to 18 years to build the seven crucial “C’s”—competence, confidence, connection, character, contribution, coping, and control—needed to bounce back from challenges.A variety of approaches are featured such as building on natural strengths, fostering hope and optimism, avoiding risky behaviors, and taking care of oneself physically and emotionally.
About the Author
Ken Ginsburg is a pediatrician specializing in Adolescent Medicine at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He also is Director of Health Services at Covenant House Pennsylvania, where he serves Philadelphia's homeless and marginalized youth. He is the Co-Founding Director and The Director of Programs at The Center for Parent and Teen Communication. Among the Center's efforts is the comprehensive website for both parents and teens that aims to strengthen family connections. See www.parentandteen.orgAs an adolescent doctor, the early years of his career focused on teens' problem behaviors. It became clear that "picking up the pieces" was not the right approach. Rather, the solution had to be in raising children prepared to thrive and equipped to make wise decisions. Recognizing this, the focus of his work shifted to supporting parents.He strives to translate the best of what is known from research and practice into practical approaches parents, professionals and communities can use to build resilience in children and teens. Two core principles guide his approach. First, it is the healthy connection - the unwavering strong relationship - between parent and child that is the essential element that prepares a young person to thrive. Second, most behaviors we fear in adolescents are misguided attempts to cope with stress. Therefore, if we are to reduce the risk in our children's lives, we need to equip them, starting in early childhood, to address life's challenges in healthy ways. Dr. Ginsburg lectures widely to national and international parent and professional audiences. He is working with The Boys and Girls Club of America to incorporate resilience-building strategies into their programming. He is also honored to be working on behalf of those who serve our nation, preparing military parents and professionals to incorporate stress reduction and resilience building strategies into the lives of our nearly 2 million military-affiliated children. His greatest privilege is to be a husband and the father of two young adult daughters.For more information, see www.fosteringresilience.com
