Raising Smarter Children

After watching the Michael J. Fox special on optimism, I thought it would be nice to share a few thoughts. I hope you’ll share your thoughts with us too.  

Do you think it’s better to be optimistic in life, and help your kids be the same?

If you want to, can you do anything special to become more optimistic?

A few years back, my daughter sent me a card saying I was the most optimistic person she knew.  It came during an especially difficult time in my life, and the fact that my so-called ’pessimistic’ daughter sent the card, actually made me even more optimistic!

Michael’s latest book, Always Looking Up, Adventures of An Incurable Optimist, comes at a time in life when most of what we hear and see isn’t the best news ever.  What he has to say and how he lives, seems to give us all a reason to smile, no matter what’s going on in the world around us.

On this blog, we talk about raising smarter children in every way – not just the brainy I.Q. smart, so optimism is one way of living life, being grateful for the support of family and our true friends.

In Michael’s special on T.V., he talks about what makes an optimist, even in the face of serious adversity.  As a Parkinson’s advocate, Michael says that happiness is contagious, and optimism gives you the courage to meet reality head on.

He visited several places on planet earth, and found one that many say have the happiest people on earth.  It’s a country I’d actually never heard of before, but now would love to visit, called Bhudan.  He says there are a million people and not even a traffic light.

The whole country thinks in terms of Gross National Happiness, rather than gross national product.  The kids in school learn honesty, friendship, kindness, and love.

In raising our kids, scientists say there is actually a genetic and nurtured part of optimism. Some people just seem to get the seratonin, feel good gene, or more of it anyway, and some are nurtured, with the love and support of family and friends to feel happier, even when times are tough.

I remember hearing a story from an author about a time when his family couldn’t afford heat in the winter, and his parents set up a tent and sleeping bags in the living room.  The kids thought it was an adventure and told all their friends at school what a great time they were having.

Do you have any stories of optimism and hope, even during the worst challenges?  Share them and we’ll post them here.

I thought one interesting thing about what Michael said on his T.V. special was that his wife was pessimistic.  Actually, pessimism is some people’s way of coping.

My daughter always seemed to think the worst would happen on her exams, but somehow it propelled her to do better.

Even though I don’t understand her thought process, I supported and encouraged her, and today, she’s living her dream of caring for children as a pediatrician.  Imagine that – an optimistic mother and pessimistic daughter – maybe we balance each other out!

Again, share your stories of optimism and hope.  Do you think you can help your kids be more optimistic if that’s what you believe is best for them?

Remember, every child is smart in their own way,

Warmly,

Pat Wyman

Visit our sister site at http://www.HowToLearn.com for more tips and resources on raising a smarter child in school, home and life.