What's Strong with You?
January 15, 2026
Last month I encouraged parents and caregivers to take time to reflect on each of your children and determine what they need most from you in this new year. Children in the same family can be very different and therefore will have different needs, triggers, talents, etc.
Most of us were raised to focus on "what's wrong with you." Bob Bowman, retired professor of Counseling Education at the University of South Carolina suggests that a powerful shift can occur when we look for the answers to this question instead, "What's Strong with You?"
Parents especially would benefit from making this their focus as they communicate with their children. It's easy to call out to our child the mistakes they are making and forget to mention the strengths we see. When we intentionally look for the good, it strengthens our bond with our child, gives them more confidence, trust and warmth.
Use the list below to help you identify at least five personal strengths in just one of your children. I want to invite you to pause this week and think about just one child. What strengths do you see in them right now? And when was the last time you said those strengths out loud?
