All children are capable of extraordinary things. There is no happiness gene or success gene. The potential for happiness and greatness lies in all children, and will mean different things to each person. We can't change that our children will face challenges in life but we can give them the skills so these challenges are never able to break them. We can build their resilience.
Resilience is being able to bounce back from stress, challenge, tragedy, trauma or adversity. When children are resilient, they are braver, more curious, more adaptable, and more able to extend their reach into the world. Resilience is something that can be nurtured in all of us and strengthened at any age.
Building children into healthy, thriving adults isn't about clearing adversity out of their way. A little bit of stress helps them to develop the skills they need to flourish. Research shows that in the context of a loving relationship with a caring adult, children have the opportunity to develop vital coping skills. This social support is associated with higher positive emotions, a sense of personal control and predictability, self-esteem, motivation, optimism, a resilience.