They say there is two types of people, the optimists and the others. Be that as it may, being optimistic is a quality that can be learned. Yes, as you hear it, we can re-educate ourselves to have a more positive thinking and outlook and above all, we can educate to our children and adolescents so that they learn to be people full of optimism.
Optimistic people build and feel responsible for their own happiness, therefore negative events are rare, they happen but it is not usual. Also, if something bad happens it is due to external causes, so it was inevitable.
Tips for making children optimistic
Child psychology has developed different methods to help boys and girls to be happier. The main thing is to learn that frustrations are part of the normal development of life, and you have to face them with a positive attitude. We pass you some behaviour standards simple that it leaves a trace of optimism in you, and in your child. If we put so much emphasis on yourself, it is because you learn to see life from a positive side, and you must be the model for your sons and daughters.
- If something goes wrong for them, or does not come out the first time, do not sink her, or try to do it for her or him. Use the phrase: "nothing happens". You will see how it is losing importance to the stumbles.
- Play and laugh openly with your children. You can tickle them, be silly or tell jokes, no matter how much laughter awakens the good mood and this will increase your self-esteem.
- Teach your child to thank. That he values the food every day, his clothes, his family, friends, the sport he practices, his health.
- Although it seems obvious, tell your children that you love them. Show it not only with words, but also with gestures and surprises.
- Children must be taught to believe themselves. One way to motivate them to do this is to applaud and acknowledge their successes. Be proud of them and share it.
One of the characteristics of all optimistic children is their strong personality, at the same time loving and very protective of the weakest and most fragile.
Optimists in adolescence, how to achieve it?
It seems that optimism and adolescence are like oil and water, that repel each other. But it's not like that. Although this is a difficult and hormonally complicated stage, it will be much more bearable if you get them to teenagers have a “less gray” look.
An exercise you can do with adolescents is to take a piece of paper and ask them to do a list of illusions. Those things that everyone wants to happen. Let them dream and visualize how their wishes are being fulfilled. Then ask them to try to figure out a way to achieve those goals. You will have already achieved a time of optimism, now it only remains to practice.
At these ages you have to work hard attitudes of hope and motivation, For this reason, it is very appropriate to encourage reading and watching motivational films and feats. For example, we would dare to recommend The Theory of Everything, based on the life of physicist Stephen Hawking.
Why optimism is important
Optimism is important at all ages. The adults, Optismistic children and adolescents are less insecure, they control their expectations, they are more active avoiding apathy and boredom. They are more enthusiastic children and more enterprising young people. They are also less likely to suffer from anxiety or depression when faced with difficulties.
Children and adolescents with a positive view of the world tend to be more curious. They never stop wanting to learn. They are continuously acquiring skills, which makes them very social beings, they participate in groups, take cases or talk with people.
Finally, knowing that things can change makes optimistic adolescents more persistent individuals. They do not usually give up at the first obstacle that appears. Although we, the adults of the family, do not agree with those objectives, but that is another story.