The Things My Kids Teach Me About Resilience

I’ve learned more about resilience from my child than from any self-help book, podcast, or motivational speaker. Honestly, half the time I think I’m the one teaching him how to handle the world, when in reality he’s teaching me.

Kids bounce back in ways adults forget how to. They fall down, they get up. They have meltdowns, then five minutes later they’re asking for a snack like nothing happened. They don’t carry grudges the way we do. They don’t spend hours replaying a mistake until it eats them alive. They just…move forward.

Watching my son face challenges, especially the ones that feel unfair, the ones that most adults would crumble under, reminds me of what real strength looks like. He doesn’t stop showing up just because it’s hard. He doesn’t stop smiling, laughing, or being himself. He adapts. He finds new ways to make it through. Especially, since he doesn’t see the world like we see the world. 

And every time I think I can’t handle one more thing, I remember: there are two little eyes watching what I do, so he knows what to do. If I’m angry, he’s angry. If I’m okay, he’s okay. Kids feed off of us the same way a lot of us learned to read a room before we learned to read a book. 

Resilience isn’t about never breaking. It’s about breaking and then piecing yourself back together anyway. It’s about finding joy in the middle of the mess. It’s about having the courage to try again even when yesterday knocked you flat on your ass. It’s also remembering the reward of fighting through when it looks like shit isn’t ever going to change.

My kid reminds me of that every single day. He shows me that it’s okay to be scared, frustrated, or exhausted, and it’s also okay to keep going anyway.

So when I feel like giving up, I think about him. The way he faces every obstacle head-on, even the invisible ones. The way he refuses to let struggle define him. The way he keeps moving forward with a strength that humbles me. Because if he can do it, then so can I.

Weekly Reflection: Finding Strength in Chaos

This week has been a whirlwind both in life and on the page. From turning real-life chaos into fictional drama, to trying to wrestle characters into the stories I thought I wanted to tell, to learning how to step back and give myself a break, and finally, to seeing resilience in the smallest lessons from my kid. I’ve been reminded of one constant: strength often shows up in the mess.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when the world doesn’t slow down. It’s easy to feel guilty for taking a moment for yourself. It’s easy to feel like you’re losing control. But if there’s one thing this week has taught me, it’s that chaos doesn’t have to break you. It can teach you, fuel you, and even inspire you.

Through the mess, through the frustration, through the exhaustion, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, adapting, and finding joy and purpose even when the storm is raging. My stories, my characters, and my little Chaos Gremlin remind me of this every day. And as I close this week, I carry that lesson forward: I can navigate the chaos, write the wounds, and still find the beauty in it all. Because when push comes to shove, things are going to happen whether you’re ready or not.

Be Brave, Be Bold, But Always Stay Humble.