Mindsets are so crucial. Not only to us but to our children as well.
When we allow certain thoughts, positive or negative, into our minds, we set the tone for how we perceive the various things going on in our lives.
Each of us could spend all day complaining, am I right? Does that ever serve us or our children? In most cases, it probably does not.
“The mind is just like a muscle – the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets and the more it can expand.” ~ Idowu Koyenikan,
When faced with negative thoughts, creating a shift in our mindset is so important, for both us and our kids. I can remember when my girls were young (elementary school), one of them would hop off the bus and immediately start complaining about her day. Usually, it was about the teacher, another child, or food.
Day after day this would happen. I found myself stumped. I couldn’t help her to navigate many of the complaints or shift her concerns.
So, what was I to do?
It was really bringing me down day after day. Her complaining had affected my happiness. I allowed this to overpower my mindset at the time.
So, I decided to shift the dialogue. When she got off the bus one day, I stopped her and said: “before you tell me all the negative things about your day, please tell me one positive thing”. I assured her that I would listen to all the things that she shared, but told her that we would start with the positive.
I did not think that my request would have such a powerful impact, but it did!
The positive, uplifting parts of her day were shared in such an exciting way that she neglected to mention the parts of her day that were negative.
At seven years old, she was already influenced by positive and negative thoughts and the mindset they create! It is amazing how our mindset can shift when we focus on the positive.
Days went by after this where my daughter shared the excitement of her day. Perhaps, prior to my request, she thought I wanted to hear all the negative things. We will never know. But shifting this energy for her, and indirectly for me, was a catalyst that led to a change of mindset for both of us.
How do you help your children, and yourself, focus on the positive?
Sure, life throws us curveballs, and we need to support and guide our children through tough times. But often, it’s the day to day rut that becomes a routine of sorts, a mindset creator.
“Mind is a flexible mirror, adjust it, to see a better world.” ~ Amit Ray,
Do you need some help in shifting this process in your family? I offer free 30-minute consultations to see if coaching is right for you.
