How to Raise an Optimist

You strive to give your child proper nutrition for their growing body and a solid education at one of the best private schools, but how can you train their attitude? Below are a few tips on bringing up an optimistic child.Be Aware of Your Own HabitsIf you worry out loud, your chatter is probably negative. “Why can’t I ever find my keys?”, “Why am I late again?”, “Did that car even see us?” These are just some of the phrases we have uttered when our children are within earshot. While they may seem mild, your child can sense this negativity. Instead, use different phrasing. For example, “I wonder where my keys might be?” is a less negative way to phrase your thoughts. Set Goals TogetherWhen you have goals, you work diligently to reach them. Without goals, life can easily seem aimless. Short-term goals such as, “I can eat my snack as soon as I finish my math homework” can help expedite the homework process and when the goal is met, the immediate reward creates happiness. Goals don’t have to be academic, though. Even young children benefit from a to-do list, such as, “No breakfast until you wash your face and brush your teeth.” When they accomplish these goals and showcase their beautiful smiles, reward them with a hug and an encouraging word.Encourage Their IndependenceChildren love a challenge. Encourage them to play games the way they believe will be the most fun instead of simply doing something because that’s how it’s always been done.Watching and learning from your children as they manipulate shapes and build imaginative creations will humble you and show you how God is guiding them.Praise Them Without FalsityYour child hands you a graded quiz and states morosely, “I’m bad at spelling.” Be sure not to falsely encourage them by saying, “Oh, it’s all right; some people can’t spell.” Give them a hug and, rather than praising the words they spelled correctly, try to find a pattern in the incorrectly spelled words. Are they all plurals? Are the vowels incorrect? Sit with them and ask why those words were tricky to spell. Their insight will give you a starting point to explain why the words were not spelled correctly. It may only take a few minutes to show them a few tricks to improve their spelling. As they catch on, praise your child for mastering a new concept. Provide them with resources to continue developing this skill, such as videos, apps, or online spelling games. With positive reinforcement, you can strengthen your child’s self-esteem and boost their optimism.When you are optimistic, your positivity radiates to those around you, especially your children. Be a light for your child and watch their attitude change for the better.At our private schools in Lakeland, we foster an atmosphere of care and an environment of high expectations and effective discipline. To learn more about our Lakeland private schools, contact us at 407-246-4800.