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The Sippy Cup Is Half Full
Tips for Raising an
Optimistic Child By Mark Stackpole
Optimistic Child
Conversely, there are many ways that caring and attentive parents can foster a child's maturing sense of optimism. Indeed, being surrounded by warm relationships and experiencing empathy are among the most important things for a child seeking to learn a positive path. Murray also suggests that parents provide the following:
- Encouragement when the child tries something new or difficult, even if he fails
- Clear and consistent expectations for the child
- All kinds of praise for what the child achieves, for how she goes about doing things and for effort, for imagination, for perseverance and for who she is ("You're such a great kid!")
optimistic outlook truly does produce a happier person," says Wendy Allen, a psychotherapist and expert in marriage and family therapy based in Santa Barbara, Calif. "Optimism is more than just positive thinking; it is a discipline." In a sense, children can be trained to be more optimistic. Parents can start by helping children recognize what is realistic and what is not. For example, simply wishing for a new toy is likely to lead to frustration and disappointment. In place of wishing and hoping for a desirable outcome, parents can help children begin to understand that it does not necessarily matter what happens during a day; rather it is how they react to it that matters.
"An optimistic person will respond with, 'All is not lost. There is still a chance that something good will come out of this,'"Allen says. If a child learns that every day provides the opportunity to mke something good happen,she will be better able to focus on the more positive aspects ofher life.
