By Salt 106.5 Network Tuesday 3 Sep 2024Guests and ArtistsReading Time: 2 minutes

Fostering gratitude, empathy and mindfulness in teenagers can be challenging.

Key points

• Hugh believes that practicing gratitude, empathy and mindfulness doesn’t mean we won’t struggle, “it means you’ll have the tools to handle those struggles better.”
• Parents can foster these traits in their teens by creating structured opportunities for gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness.
• Season 8 Episode 3 ‘GEM Thoughts with Hugh van Cuylenberg’ is available now.

Raising Teens host Collett Smart is often asked by parents of teens, “How do I raise my teen to be a grateful, empathetic adult?”

According to Hugh van Cuylenberg is a renowned educator, resilience expert and founder of The Resilience Project, there are simple practises that parents can adopt, to create an environment which fosters these traits.

Hugh believes that practicing gratitude, empathy and mindfulness doesn’t mean we won’t struggle, “it means you’ll have the tools to handle those struggles better.”

Hugh works with the Australian cricket team and AFL teams as well as educational institutions, promoting mental well-being through resilience.

“When I was with these kids in India, I saw them practicing gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness every day, and they were so unbelievably happy,” Hugh said of the moment he realised what Aussie teens need.

Parents can foster these traits in their teens by creating structured opportunities for gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness.

“Practicing GEM—Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness—doesn’t mean you won’t struggle.

“It means you’ll have the tools to handle those struggles better.”

Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness (GEM) form the cornerstone of The Resilience Project.

Parents can foster these traits in their teens by creating structured opportunities for gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness. Hugh shares a practical and family-friendly method in Season 8, Episode 3 of Raising Teens with Collett Smart.

Raising Teens, Season 8 Episode 3 ‘GEM Thoughts with Hugh van Cuylenberg’ is available now, in the player above and wherever you get your podcasts.

Do you have a burning question? Send it through to Collett here.

Article supplied with thanks to Joni Boyd. Joni is the Digital Media Coordinator at Hope 103.2. She is passionate about the power of stories shared, to transform lives.

Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro