Embracing Disappointment: A Key to Resilience
Last year, St Ursula’s College welcomed psychologist Judith Locke (The Bonsai Child/The Bonsai Student) to share her insights with our staff and parents about the realities of growing up. Her message was clear – adolescence is filled with challenges, and shielding young people from every disappointment does them no favours. Instead, we must equip them with the skills to face setbacks and grow from them.
This important message is echoed in a recent article by adolescent psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg, who discusses why experiencing disappointment is a vital part of childhood development. He highlights how parents and society are increasingly quick to remove obstacles for young people, rather than allowing them to work through difficulties themselves. While the instinct to protect is natural, overprotecting children can hinder their ability to build resilience and emotional literacy – both essential for navigating life’s ups and downs.
At St Ursula’s, we are committed to fostering independence, resilience, and problem-solving skills in our students. We encourage you to read Carr-Gregg’s article and reflect on how you can support your child in managing disappointment, rather than avoiding it. By allowing young people to experience setbacks, we give them the opportunity to learn, adapt, and ultimately thrive in adulthood.
Let’s continue working together to prepare our young people for life’s challenges. If you missed Judith Locke’s powerful presentation last year, or if you’d like to revisit these important ideas, this article
