More than anything, a parent wants their child to feel loved. The manner in which they go about it, however, may strengthen or weaken a child’s resiliency. The difference between an empathic approach and a sympathetic style may determine the amount of grit a child brings to the table in life. Resonating with a child’s feeling states is empathic . Dismissing a child’s experience because a parent is uncomfortable with the difficult emotions and wishes to “fix it” qualifies as a form of pity or sympathy. The parent becomes the saver and rescuer and the child is postured as the “victim.” Disappointment is an unpleasant emotion with which most humans can relate. Faced with developmental challenges, kids experience disappointment regularly. If handled with empathy, the experience of intense disappointment may help a child retry and grow . If approached with sympathy, the child may quit or expect special treatment. For example, Charlie’s friend, Jon, is trying out for a travel … [Read more...] about Raising A Resilient Child In A Competitive World