Stories of Resilience: The Iverson Family

Growing up in large families with working parents, Mary Stuart and Joel Iverson learned the value of independence at an early age. Now, as they raise 5 young boys, these Atlanta parents want to set their kids up for success by teaching them to problem-solve and play active roles in the household.

From emptying the dishwasher to mowing the lawn, the Iverson kids are building resilience while learning valuable life skills. Age-appropriate chores promote independence, help them create routines, boost their confidence and ultimately help prepare them for the realities of life.

Building resilience is a lifelong process, and the Iversons share that with their boys. “It's never too late to learn to be resilient,” Mary Stuart says. “Every day, we're still learning as parents about what that means and what that takes.”

Instead of doing everything themselves (which would admittedly be easier and faster), the Iversons set their home up in ways that make it easier for their boys to do everyday tasks on their own.

Beyond chores and daily tasks, the Iverson boys are also learning to build things from the ground up. With supervision and help from mom and dad, the boys recently constructed and painted a treehouse. The project was not only a lesson in independence and problem-solving, but it was also a rewarding example of their hard work, once it was complete.

The Iversons challenge themselves to see the beauty in the process, rather than focusing only on the outcome, and they’re giving their boys the chance to make mistakes and learn from them. Ultimately, these lessons help kids build the resilience they need to tackle all the challenges life will throw their way.

If you’re already doing some of these things with your own kids, that’s great. If not, it’s never too late to start. To learn more about building resilience in your child, check out our Raising Resilience initiative.