Coping with Setbacks

Setbacks and failures can be educational, but you hate to see your child experience disappointment.

It’s important to differentiate between traumatic events and disappointments. Traumatic events are usually harmful and result in a permanent change of one’s psychological makeup. Disappointments come from reaching for something and falling short of that goal.

Children manage disappointments differently over time. Youngsters may be upset and take action; shouting, hitting, crying. As they grow older, they may think about how things could be different.

Invite discussion about the disappointment. Let your child come up with answers. Change the language to suit your child’s age and maturity level.