About Our School
For Parents
Michele Borba - Optimism
A Parent Guide by Dr. Michele Borba, for
Thrivers: Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle & Others Shine
Chapter Seven: OPTIMISM
Thrivers find the silver lining. Children strong in optimism display positivity and gratitude, learn self-advocacy and keep unrealistic pessimism in check to reduce despondence and encourage a hopeful outlook and belief that life has meaning.
KEY POINTS FROM CHAPTER SEVEN of THRIVERS
3 Abilities Nurture Optimism: 1. Optimistic thinking; 2. Assertive communication; and 3. Hope.
Catch Pessimistic Thoughts. Create private code to remind child to catch/halt their negative comment.
Challenge Inaccurate Views. Teach how to counter, refute or balance pessimistic, inaccurate views.
Change Pessimistic Thoughts. Challenge sweeping negative (I always…never….every time) thoughts with “Reality Check!” Then help reframe them with more positive, realistic views.
Show How to Stand Up for Self. Help child learn to self-advocate (a proven THRIVER trait) by teaching each step in CALM. C-Chill to be taken seriously. A-Assert by developing comebacks (“Stop!” “Not cool”, “No.”) L-Look strong from head to toe; M-Mean it with an assertive-not wimpy-voice tone.
Teach Assertive Body Language. Head: stand tall, head high; Eyes: look eye-to-eye; Shoulders: pull down; Arms: at side; Hands: uncrossed; Feet: planted firmly, twelve inches apart.
Hold Goodness Reviews. Institute nightly review of good parts of each person’s day to focus on bright side.
Share Good News. Uplifting stories of everyday helpers in news or neighborhood can inspire hope.
Volunteer to Kindle Optimism. Lending a hand reduces stress and increases optimism. Make sure the giving project is something child wants to do, is done ideally face to face and isn’t just to look good on a resume.
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
What impact do you think the Pandemic and other troubling world events have on kids’ views? Do you think it’s harder to raise a child with hope?
My plan: How can I help my kids feel hopeful about today’s uncertain world? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My example: How can I model optimism so my children catch it? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lessons for my family: How will I strengthen my child’s optimism?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
©2021. Dr. Michele Borba. For more about Dr. Borba and her book, Thrivers see www.micheleborba.com