Ep. 3: Raising Resilient, Independent Kids with Sara Kuljis
In Episode 3 of the Sunshine Parenting Podcast, I interview my good friend Sara Kuljis about raising resilient, independent kids. Sara is a 20-year veteran camp director and parenting trainer who has great insights and ideas about parenting and counseling kids.
Sara, with her husband Steve, owns and directs Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp, a Christian adventure camp for children ages 8 to 16 years old founded 44 years ago by Sara’s parents Jim and Marna Slevcove. Together, the Kuljises also direct Emerald Cove Day Camp in San Juan Capistrano, a day camp that serves children from kindergarten through 4th grade.
Among many other topics, we talk about how camp helps build independence and resilience in kids, as well as readiness for camp, college, and being away from parents and home.
Sara shares three great questions to ask kids after a challenging or new experience:
1. What did you enjoy/love?
2. What was challenging?
3. When (not if!) you do it again, what will you do differently?
Books Sara and I mention in the podcast include:
The Blessing of a Skinned Knee, Wendy Mogel
How to Raise an Adult, Julie Lythcott-Haims
Present Over Perfect, Shauna Niequist
The Opposite of Spoiled, Ron Lieberthe
Social Intelligence: The Revolutionary New Science of Human Relationships, Daniel Goleman
Sara teaches parenting workshops in Southern California. Contact Sara to have her come speak to your group on parenting topics including:
• Positive Behavior Shaping
• Effective Affirmation
• Pace of Life
• Listening Skills
Here are some additional Sunshine Parenting posts related to the topics we discuss in Episode 3:
How Camp Helps Parents Raise Adults
Ready for Adulthood Checklist
Parking Your Helicopter
What’s the Best Age for Camp?
Five Reasons Great Parents Send Their Kids to Camp
Why Kids Need to Get Uncomfortable
Who’s Not Ready for College?
Making Family Dinner Like a Campfire
