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But the real- is about as close to ity remains that if our children are Hollywood as an ancient city can get. going to grow into the next generation Still, what gives the story of Purim of comeback kids, they're going to its bona fide blockbuster quality is need a few practice rounds. undoubtedly the comeback kid factor. I mean, who can help but cheer as the Learning By Consequence Jews bounce back from Rather than eliminating our the brink of death, not kids' problems, we serve only intact but partying them better by helping them in the streets? understand that occasional Of course, Mordecai hurt, frustration and disap- and Esther's coup is pointment are all part of only the tip of the growing up. While we're hamantaschen when happy to provide hugs and it comes to the Jewish moral support, we have full people's history of confidence in their abilities atia bouncing back in the to handle their difficulties Sharon Duke face of hardship. competently and indepen- Estroff You might say resil- dently. Parenting Plus ience is a Jewish tradi- So to ensure the next gen- tion. Unfortunately, this eration of comeback kids, particular tradition may try these hints: be at risk as recent studies show resil- When I was your age: If your child ient children to be something of an is faced with a challenging situation endangered species. in the schoolyard, for example, share Researchers have called these kids memories of your own playground "bubbles apt to burst at the slightest plights. Ask grandparents and other smattering of adversity"? relatives to do the same. In doing so, Experts believe the answer lies you'll help him understand that child- among millions of well-meaning hood hardship is universal and surviv- parents positioning themselves as able. human shields between their kids and Get two for one: If your kid offers disappointment and pain. Take these daily rundowns of her woes and wor- examples: ries, strike a deal that for every prob- Scenario A: During recess, Molly, lem she reports she should share two 9, and her two best friends, Lauren positive events. This will help keep the and Sophie, decide to play tag. When problems in perspective. Lauren announces Molly is "it," Sophie Change the subject: Rather than concurs. When Molly begs to differ, attempting to "talk out" every one of Lauren and Sophie insist that either your child's difficulties, try changing Molly be "it" or she can't play at all. the subject to a happier topic. If the That afternoon, Molly recounts issue comes up again, you'll know it the playground saga to her mother. likely deserves more attention. Within milliseconds, Molly's mom is Have confidence in our past: As in a three-way conference call with our ancestors knew, fostering resil- the other moms discussing the prob- ience in our children is among our lem. most important parental responsibili- Scenario B: Josh worked super-hard ties. We should feel confident in letting on his spelling homework one night. our kids have a go at life's everyday But he forgot to put his homework hurdles. For only in doing so will we in his backpack. The next morning, gear them to jump life's inevitable big after Josh's carpool pulls off, his mom ones with the grace of Mordecai and notices the homework in the kitchen. Esther. 1 Not wanting Josh to get in trouble, she zooms to school and delivers the Sharon Duke Estroff is an internationally assignment. syndicated Jewish parenting columnist, Clearly, Molly and Josh's parents award-winning Jewish educator and didn't set out to negate prime resil- mother of four.