Coulson - 9 Ways to a Resilient Child

Thanks so much to so many people who have been shoulders for me to stand on during the writing of this book.

Firstly, to the team at kidspot.com.au, thank you for the trust you place in me. I joined the Kidspot team near their beginning and our relationship has continued in a strong and positive way ever since, even as Kidspot has changed and shifted to NewsCorp. Thanks to Alex Brooks (former editor), Ella Walsh, Marg Rafferty, Melissa Wilson, Jeni ODowd, Rhett Watson and everyone else behind the scenes for such stellar support. And a special thanks to Nicole Sheffield at NewsLifeMedia you made it happen!

At ABC Books, I have had a tremendously patient publisher in Katie Stackhouse. Katie has endured questions, quarrels and crazy ideas via email and phone at all hours as crises of confidence or questions around content have pummelled my brain. Katie, thank you. Additional thanks to Kate ODonnell, whose fairness and perspective contributed to an enormously improved and compassionate manuscript. Barbara McClenahan and Bronwyn Sweeney took this book and reviewed, edited and improved so much that I think they must know the contents and concepts as well as I do. They make me look like a much better writer than I actually am, and I thank them for their awesome work and attention to detail. I hope its helped to make your families more resilient, too. If so, mission accomplished.

I had valuable input for which Im grateful from a range of people with incredible insight into what makes resilience happen. Thank you to Andrew Fuller, Professor Darcia Narvaez, Professor Marshall Duke and Professor H Wallace Goddard. Your generous gift of time to answer questions for a book that doesnt bear your names has been appreciated.

Im particularly appreciative to John Maclean, who spent an hour talking to me about his incredible story of resilience and courage. I hope that this book honours your legacy, John.

There have been many parents who have shared stories, experiences and heartfelt challenges with me over the years. I am grateful to them for allowing me to share aspects of their stories in this book, and for their trust in me to help them.

Writing this book has been a test of resilience for my family. Researching and writing requires significant sacrifice, and it is not just the author who gives things up. To my children, who went to bed with far too little attention on too many nights during the months I was working on this book, I owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude. Your resilience is a beacon to me of how to be hopeful and happy in spite of an over-tired, grumpy dad who should know better. I love you all: Chanel, Abbie, Ella, Annie, Lilli and Emilie. And well make up for this ten times over.

Mum and Dad, and also Les and Natasha, my in-laws. Im grateful for the influence youve had in my life and the belief youve shown over the many years. Your support and belief in me and your unconditional love have contributed to my resilience.

Finally, to my wife, my eternal sweetheart. I owe the resiliency of our relationship to you and your support. The world is all gates, all opportunities. Lets open them and see where they take us together.