Introduction

"Into every life, some rain must fall. "
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1842

As Longfellow implies, everyone faces adverse circumstances at some point in their lives. To a certain extent adversity-like rain-fosters growth. Yet severe adversity-like hurricanes-can be overwhelming at any age, and even some young children face severe adversity. We call those who manage to become personally and professionally successful despite severe adversity "resilient."

While we marvel that some people overcome seemingly overwhelming childhood adversity, resiliency is actually a normal trait that comes from inborn tendencies to adapt. If people's natural tendencies to adapt are appropriate, they can overcome even severe adversity. If not, problems can occur.

Since every life contains "some rain," parents should cultivate approaches and habits that increase resiliency-the equivalent of umbrellas and waterproof shelter to withstand the "rainstorms" of life-in their children and adolescents. Approaches and habits that encourage resiliency include attitudes and emotions, feelings of competence, social skills, or physical health. Parents, teachers, and other adults can foster children's resiliency in all of these areas. Very often one resilient behavior affects more than one area. For example, regular exercise promotes good physical health, but it also decreases negative emotions such as anxiety, anger, and depression.

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