All of us want our kids to grow up to be happy adults. So, what’s the secret to raising kids who see the glass as half full rather than half empty?
Teaching our children that happiness comes from within is probably the most important piece of the puzzle.
In other words, happiness has more to do with how we think about our circumstances than with our actual circumstances.
Much of this optimism is taught through modeling.
When the car has a flat tire, teach your kids to be happy by saying:
“Well, the good thing is that it’s only flat on the bottom!”
When it’s rainy outside, teach them to be optimistic by saying:
“That’s the liquid sunshine that makes flowers grow.”
When you make a mistake, smile and say:
“Wouldn’t it be annoying if you had perfect parents?”
When your kids blow it, pat them on the back and say:
“The great thing about you is that you’re a chip off the old block…you’re great at solving problems.”