Children need to be more positive and fluid thinking, so they don’t see things as either black/white or good/bad. For example, children will find it very frustrating when they cannot control a situation, especially when it turns bad and isn’t the way they want it to be.
I remember a child telling me about a holiday they went on and did not enjoy. They viewed it as bad because they had very little control over the holiday. The weather had not been great and they did not always enjoy what they did. Had they viewed the holiday differently, accepted that they could not change it and been more positive, they would have enjoyed it much more. Walking around with a negative outlook isn’t conducive to finding the fun or interest in situations.
Children need to see things differently so they can enjoy life, and it’s important that they realise that they can’t control everything. The same child told me about their long and boring train journey. But they could have thought, this journey could be fun because we can play games or watch a movie. Not only would the journey have gone faster, but the child would also have had more fun. It’s just about a small switch in attitude.
Encourage a Positive Mindset
Whatever ‘annoying’ situation your children find themselves in, help them to change their mindset from a negative one to a positive one. Help them to think, ‘And what now?’ Don’t let them get stuck in a pattern of reacting a certain way. Instead, get them to look for opportunities to have fun or look for alternative things to do. Help them also to accept that some things are ‘frustrating’ but they don’t have to be for long.
For help in raising your child’s positive mood and mindset please get in touch. I offer life coaching sessions to help children address their issues and raise their positivity.
The Wow Board
Developed for children that need some help with focusing on the positive things that happen to them (rather than the negative!). Make positivity a daily habit and boost your child’s self-esteem.
[Published Sept 2021 | Updated Oct 2024]
