Throughout April I’ve been working on establishing a more positive outlook; acknowledging how green my grass really is! I’ve been posting on Facebook and Twitter quite regularly with something that is good in my life, something that made me smile that day or something that I’m grateful for in my life.
It’s a habit I want to keep up because I know that if I’m not careful I find myself complaining about things that are ‘wrong’ rather than enjoying all the hundreds and thousands of things that are ‘right’ in my life. I really want to cultivate a positive outlook and grateful attitude in myself and in my children.
These are my ideas of things we can do to help encourage a positive outlook in our children, so they grow up seeing the best of things in the world and being grateful for the all the wonderful things in their lives:
Show them the beautiful flowers that are springing up everywhere, the colourful rainbow in the sky on a rainy day and all the other glorious things that mother nature has to offer.2) Get them involved in making/writing thank you cards.
This is something we’re already doing. My siblings and I were always expected to write thank you letters as children and I’m working at passing that habit on to my children. I think it’s lovely, when someone takes the time to pick out and send a present to you, to make the effort to send them a nice thank you note back. Sitting down with the children and helping them make, write or scribble on a thank you note will helpfully start to encourage them to be grateful for the presents they’re given and also to express that gratitude.
3) At bedtime ask them to tell you about the best thing about their day.
This is something that I’m not actually doing yet, but I think it would be a lovely habit to start, especially now Rhys is getting older and spending more time at school, away from us. Helping him to focus on and talk about the best parts of his day will hopefully help him go to sleep happy and nurture a positive outlook on life in general!
What do you think? Do you have a naturally positive outlook on life or is it something you have to work on? I’d love to hear any more tips you might have on how to encourage our children to have a positive outlook.
These are great suggestions, I love the positivity you are trying to foster in your children!
Thank you! I really want them to grow up with a positive outlook, and to focus on all the good things around them!
This is a great reminder for me to be more positive, I’m very lucky in lots of ways and do need to remind myself about this, when I find myself complaining about the small things! I also think it’s a fantastic habit to write thank you cards/notes, I should do this and it would be so appreciated! #twinklytuesday
Carolyn
http://stylishmemories.com
I’m the same, I do find myself complaining about the little things that bug me, when really I am so lucky when you look at the big picture! Making the effort to focus on the good has been really helpful for me! x
I thrive on positivity and try oh so hard not to let any negativity into my life (and therefore my family’s life). It’s so important. That said, it’s only natural unfortunately, that life throws negativity at you. I tend to ask our little bear ‘what was the best part/favourite part of your day?’. I love it when she really thinks hard about it and she often comes out with things that I’m not expecting! #TwinklyTuesday
It’s true, life does throw bad stuff and negativity at us, and I think it’s really important to allow ourselves to feel sad/angry about those things. But I know that I feel so much better about life in general when I put it all in perspective and recognise all the good things around me! I love that you have that conversation in your family every day, I really do want to get into the habit of doing that. x
Lovely! We have anthing we do at the dinner table; we each take it in turn to say the best and worst parts of our day, we then try to work out what could change the worse part or most of the time I point out how we are lucky that the worse part was something like “it rained while we were at park” and there are some people who have far worse problems.
I love that Harri! Such a nice way to get a conversation going with the children, and I love that you put the bad things into perspective too. I often stop and remind myself how things could be so much worse when I get a bit down! x
Great suggestions. I am doing the first one with Nia, and she is now mirroring my ‘Wow’ face! Including the eyebrow lift! Will certainly do 2 & 3 when she’s a little bigger. I think generally I am a positive person, but every now and then I need reminding with things like this- thanks!
Oh I can just picture her doing a big ‘wow’ face now, so sweet! x
3 simple yet very effective items I’d say, showing young kids positive things is so important yet so often parents point out negatives more (something I am often guilty of).
It’s strange isn’t it, how it sometimes seems easier to notice and point out the negatives?! x
Great post.I did something positive each day in Lent instead of giving something up. Will try to keepthat up.
Now that’s a great idea, better than giving up chocolate! Maybe that should be my next step, to DO something positive, rather than just noting the positive things around me. x
I agree with all of these and I am usually really good at them so you’ve made me happy! I always talk about Zach’s day at nursery or my mum’s with him on the way home and we’ve done thank you cards too! I also love pointing out nice things and especially when it’s something good he’s done. I have my moments when he’s pushing my buttons but I do try! Thanks so much for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
Haha, glad I’ve made you happy! And I think we all have those moments when our buttons are pushed! x