There are many things we can do to strengthen and increase our children’s likelihood of being able to cope with life’s challenges and to grow into happy, well balanced adults.

Research has identified many factors that tend to strengthen children and increase their likelihood of not becoming involved in problem behaviours. These are sometimes called protective factors.  As parents we can act in many small ways that build protective factors in our children.  For example, research suggests children are less likely to get into problems as teens if they are able to develop self restraint, an ability to make good friends, some skill in solving problems and the ability to put effort into tasks.