Tipping the Scales Toward Resiliency
As holidays and time off from school approach, anxiety and stress levels can sometimes build in the homes of kin, foster, guardianship, and adoptive families. Memories, somatic responses, and challenging behaviors related to the adverse childhood experiences (ACES) that some young people have faced can create a variety of hurdles.
However, while research about ACES is increasing, and often points to stressful life-long impacts, research regarding resiliency is also on the rise. Ann S. Masten and Andrew J. Barnes are resiliency researchers who have concluded that,”There are some remarkable consistencies in findings (about how to foster resiliency).” They have determined that if children have a variety of Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs), they are able to thrive despite also experiencing ACES. As quoted in Nan Henderson’s November 2019 newsletter on resiliency, the current BCEs list, a work in progress, asks us to consider:
When you were growing up, during the first 18 years of life…
Did you have at least one caregiver with whom you felt safe?
Did you have at least one good friend?
Did you have beliefs that gave you comfort?
Did you like school?
Did you have at least one teacher who cared about you?
Did you have good neighbors?
Was there an adult (not a parent/caregiver or the person from #1) who could provide you with support or advice?
Did you have opportunities to have a good time?
Did you like yourself or feel comfortable with yourself?
Did you have a predicatable home routine, like regular meals and a regular bedtime?
As you work to support the young people in your life during the coming weeks, consider all the large and small ways in which you could help them increase BCEs in their lives. Opportunities to laugh together, share thoughts, and create comforting routines abound.
Sometimes it helps to get ideas from others. As you notice the BCEs in your home and family, please share them in the comments so that others can learn from you.
- Caregiver Training & Resources – Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
- Podcast Library – Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
- Trauma Informed Practice/Parenting – Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
- Adoption – Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
- RPC + – Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
- VT-CWTP Publications, Annual Reports, and Newsletters – Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
- On-Line Learning – Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership