What happens if you look at the world of parenting through a positive lens? What happens if, instead of sharing in a moment of delightful cynicism with our friends, we highlight the negativity together and find a way to extinguish it with positive vibes?

Maybe that sounds too idealistic or naive, but we believe there are a few practical steps that we can take to encourage a new appreciation of positivity in childhood.

Here’s how:

To start with, try going into situations with high expectations and positive thoughts. Expect positive outcomes!

As adults, we have a tendency to expect the worst and hope for the best, especially when this relates to our own children. We worry how their behavior might reflect upon us, or what this might mean for our relationships with our friends or community.

How might thinking positively impact an experience you have with your children?

Here’s a concrete example: You are headed to a friend’s house for dinner with the children and are worried about table manners and general behavior. Before even leaving your house, you expect that something bad might happen, but secretly hope that nothing will.

Next time, instead of anticipating worry or dread, try flipping this feeling on its head. Re-learn how to expect the best and help prepare your children for success. Prepare yourself, and by virtue of that, your children, by turning these worries into positive moments. A way to do this might be to spend the week before your dinner date working on table manners, reinforcing the positive behavior.

Perhaps these worries combined with a broader tendency to not focus on the positive can be turned into moments for reflection, consideration, and for preparing yourself or your children for a positive experience.

Take a moment to re-learn positive thinking to foster positive outcomes. A little mental preparation can go a long way!

Ms. Wood, our resident Montessori guide, shares more recommendations on positive thinking in a short video: Watch Now!

“An attitude can change everything”.

Recommended for you: