"Raise a kid who won't give up"" How to teach resilience through rain or shine"

Last night at 2a.m. in the morning, my husband Don, and four of our children Danielle, Mike, Mary and Jane all returned from a whirlwind weekend in NYC.  When I looked at the Parenting magazine on my kitchen table from the weekend's mail, one of the articles was "Raise a kid who won't give up: How to teach resilience through rain or shine"  This article couldn't have come at a better time!

We went to NYC this weekend so that the four children stated above could audition for the television talent contest "The Voice".  At 6:30a.m. we got in line with upwards of 6000 people all hoping to become famous.  We had to wait outside in frigid weather with whipping winds for over 31/2 hours until we finally got inside for the big moment of truth.  As we got checked in (I had to go because Jane is a minor) our bodies began to thaw, and I looked around at so many other "parents'" children, and also some parents auditioning as well.  All of these people were hoping that their dreams of instant stardom would come true, and even I was wishing with all of my heart that that dream would come true for my children as well.

Danielle our oldest has been living in NY for over the last three years, standing in lines (maybe not as big) but just as full of hope, auditioning for Broadway shows.  She understood what this process was all about, and felt comfortable that she would go into the audition, give it her all and hope for the best, gaining from the experience, but not relying on it to validate her or her talent.  Michael, who is in two bands and is trying to make it in the business, went through five stages of grief as he came upon his understanding of how he could view it as a positive thing and not a failure or measure of his talent. (For him it was hard, because he was asked to stay and sing again, and the producer said she was on the fence about him, and she may call him later that day....she didn't end up calling, but the positive light in that, is that Michael can take satisfaction in knowing that there were 6000 people seen, and there were thousands who the producers weren't even remotely on the fence about. He clearly has something, if he gave the producer pause.....Resilience is the key)  Mary and Jane who both sing and love to perform, went in with the attitude that "Nothing Ventured is Nothing Gained"  I was with Jane at her audition, and she did an amazing job, she was confident, strong and her song was awesome.  In fact one of the auditioners told her after we came out of the room, that Jane gave her goosebumps and she knows Jane will be famous one day.  Michael and Danielle were with Mary in  a separate audition room, and they were both so proud of Mary and her audition, they said she did great....I don't doubt that at all! Donnie and I are so proud of all of them for at least trying.  Donnie always said to the kids growing up...."Don't say I can't, say I'll Try".

Everyone who auditioned that day gave their best, and to those who made it through to the next round, I say congratulations and good luck.  To those who did not make it through, I say,  "Don't give up, be resilient"  It may not have been rain or shine, but everyone who waited outside in the freezing cold that day had a dream, my children included, and wherever their life takes them, may they be happy in knowing that for this one day with a crowd of 6000 people, they all Dared to Dream, and as just like Jane and Mary, the way to really look at it was  "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained."