Teach Children to be Optimists

In a materialistic world children are forgetting the art of accepting “No” and that there are many who have almost nothing. While travelling by train to work, a fellow commuter shared that her child would not understand that she could not keep up with the Joneses.

She was sad and regretful and explained that she was one of seven children and often they all wore the same set of clothes (hand-me-downs) for years and there were no fancy birthday parties when she was young.

Empathizing with her I suggested she take her child to a neighboring orphanage or class where an NGO works with street children. This could expose the her to different circumstances. So she did just that. She took a group of friends and their children to interact with children at an orphanage. She later shared, that this episode changed the life of her child.

Introduce them to the world beyond home

Bring up children well but try and introduce them to the world beyond home and teach children to be optimists. It’s simple. If your child asks for expensive toys try and explain that it is beyond your budget and that many new activities can happen with existing toys. Play with children as much as possible.

Let them be part of a group that visits or interacts with sick of differently-abled children. These activities will broaden their minds and teach them many values.

A neighbor who was a doctor has a little girl around five and her maid also had a child of the same age. My neighbor often asked the maid to bring her child home and the two children played and learned together. Soon the neighbor’s daughter learned to share and care and would often keep half a bar of chocolate for her little friend. Whenever the grandparents bought gifts, the little girl would want to give some to the maid’s child. Interacting with the child enriched the little girl in many ways.

Take your kids to local parks or play groups where children from all strata play together. Teach them values and to appreciate what they have.

One step at a time

Teach your child not to be petulant or throw tantrums. Use everyday incidents to explain how the child is lucky and is blessed. For example if a trip to the zoo is cancelled due to the rain or something, don’t let disappointment creep in .

Make the time at home joyful—watch television together, make goodies in the kitchen, or take out old photo albums and introduce the child to family occasions and members.

Kids love to see baby photos of themselves and more. If a piece of cake falls down explain that “wow there is more than 50% still with you, how lucky the whole thing did not fall.” Its about introducing concepts of “there is some good in every incident.” Teach children to be optimists.

Optimism is good too

Experts opine that optimistic children are healthier and more resilient in life. They can deal with challenges presented very well. A child who learns to smile through tears will always emerge a winner and never fall prey to depression and other such modern-day dangers.

Teach the child to be like a bouncing ball. If a favorite doll drowns, help the child heal the doll—paint a new face, give it new clothes and hair. A makeover for the doll will bring sunshine into your little one’s life. Encourage the child to make decisions and also to be independent in spirit.

When my mother-in-law died my father-in-law sat down with all six of his grandchildren and explained that she had moved to heaven so that she could make all their wishes come true. The kids were all aged three-through-seven. His explanation helped them overcome her death.

If kids see sunshine even when clouds are gloomy you will never have to worry about the kids.