How To Teach Your Kids To Be An Optimist

This statement may seem to be just too difficult considering the different stresses and disappointments that kids face today, but all the more I wouldn’t say it is tough as we still have various things to be happy about and grateful in our lives. I was an optimist as a child, though my sunny nature decreased a lot as I turned an adult. I just visited my mum during one of my bad moods and she refreshed me on how my children and I could be optimists.

Ways you could teach your kids to be optimists: 

• Most of us get into a bad mood thinking of all the things that make us sad and disappointed; we need to teach our children to consciously think of things that make them happy and substitute positive thoughts for negative ones. There are many things in life that we could be happy for; a good home, an appreciative family, a good and interesting book to read or even the wonderful sunshine that comes into the window to wake us up. It could also be simple things as a baby that smiles at us, an acquaintance that offers a cheering word or just good meal that you just had. Playing it as a game helps sustains the cheer and happiness.

• Next we need to teach our children to develop a sense of humor; it pays to make an effort to find something to laugh about that makes us realize that it is futile to take ourselves seriously. This attitude could help in the worst of stress situation like sleep deprivation even in our adult life.

• Yes, we need to teach our kids to be optimists by emphasizing to them the need to get enough quality sleep that would not only make them happy, but healthy also. We need to emphasize the meaning of the quote, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy wealthy and wise.” Being relaxed after a good sleep would not only make our children happy, but also optimistic as they would cultivate a positive attitude towards things.

• It is important to instill in kids that being pessimistic because of a lower grade is futile; it was not the end of the world, as there were still more opportunities that could help them succeed in life. There were also fair chances of getting into a good college or a good job; kids would learn how to stomach disappointment and move on.

• Kids could be taught to not view disappointments as final; they need to be made to realize that they would soon pass and there would be better times. This attitude would help them not only during their childhood, but also much later into adulthood.

• Kids need to be taught how to appreciate good moments that come their way; this could not come automatically but has to be cultivated through a conscious effort; teach your kids to appreciate a beautiful day by breathing in deeply and appreciating the moment. Next you could also appreciate if someone has said something nice to you; appreciating and remembering such moments would provide you great solace when you are sad or depressed. 

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