How to Raise an Optimistic Child

Optimists live life with a glass half full attitude and their sunny outlook helps them to lead happier and more fulfilling lives. You can start the process from an early age by encouraging your child to think about what they would want to be when they grow up. A private school in London shares more tips on how you can raise an optimistic child below.

Show Them That You Believe in Them 

Words can have a lasting effect on a child in both a positive and negative way. Reinforcing the idea that they can achieve whatever they put their mind to will help them develop self-belief and grow into an optimist. Likewise, being fearful of failure and talking them down will have the opposite effect and create pessimism. 

Let Them Take Risks

This leads us nicely on to risk. Letting your child take reasonable risks will help them to explore the world around them and develop optimism. Something that they can’t do if wrapped in a bubble. These should be small enough to be safe but big enough to allow your child to experience failure and make mistakes.

Encourage Them to Set Goals

Goals allow you to set ambitions and help children to think optimistically about the future. Doing this can help them to see that their goals aren’t so far-fetched and help them to create a reasonable plan of action to reach them.

Focus on Growth

As opposed to setting goals that are time limited or specific, create goals with your child that focus on growth. This will make them feel less pressured and optimistic about tackling them as opposed to feeling pessimistic. Having a growth mindset also teaches children to focus on the lessons they’ve learned as opposed to failure so that they can look at the brighter side of things.

Be Honest

There’s no point of lying and giving your child false hope knowing that they won’t be able to reach their goals. This will only set them up for failure, hurting their pride, confidence, and their trust in you. Instead, it’s important to be honest and realistic with children even if that means letting them down gently. 

Don’t Let Them Hear You Complain

Complaining can send children into a worry and make them pessimistic. Instead, try dealing with situations by looking at the upside. Not only will that help you to be a better role model for your child but will also help you to be much calmer.

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