I love to share parenting tips from fathers because I love to see them involved in parenting. Men and women often bring different perspectives and different methods to the table and I think it is refreshing to hear another point of view. Today I am pleased to have Tyler Jacobson share with us about the importance of teaching our boys the power of a positive attitude in life. He writes about all aspects of parenting boys, but particularly on the challenges that teens and parents face today. He enjoys going to the mountains near his home in Draper, Utah to connect with his wife and children through camping, hiking, and quality time together. You can follow Tyler on Twitter or Linkedin to keep up with more of his parenting articles.
Teaching Our Boys The Power of A Positive Attitude To Make Their Life Successful
By Tyler Jacobson
The world we live in is making it harder and harder to raise boys to be successful men. Everything in our son’s life is quantifiable, so when his grades aren’t good enough, when he doesn’t make the team he tried out for, or when he doesn’t have very many followers on social media, he is acutely aware of these shortcomings. Here are a few things we can do to help teach our boys the power of a positive attitude to play a huge part in making their lives successful.
Having the Right Mindset
There are two different kinds of mindsets, a “fixed mind-set” and a “growth mindset.” If your son has a fixed mind set, this most likely means he avoids challenges and obstacles that might help him grow because he fears failure. While if your son has a growth mind-set, then he is eager to try new things and doesn’t give up when things are difficult, and unlike someone with a fixed mind-set, he is open and receptive to criticism. If you notice your son has fixed mind-set tendencies, address these as they occur and help guide him toward a more healthy way of thinking.
Recognize Every Improvement
While you want your son to enjoy school and learning new things, if he feels an intense amount of pressure to get good grades and then fails to do so, he may resort to that fixed mind-set and simply give up rather than try and be disappointed. Instead of pressuring your son with high expectations, simply encourage improvement. If you notice your son is putting forth a diligent effort and is making improvements, however small, compliment and reward his growth. Having this attitude will help boost your son’s self-esteem and give him a positive attitude in life.
Positivity is Your Most Valuable Asset
At a young age, help your son to understand that people value someone with a positive attitude above all else. If he makes the basketball team but then sits on the bench all season, encourage him to be the best bench warmer ever by remaining positive and lifting up his teammates. If he’s not as smart as his peers, help him realize that while intelligence is important, it is worthless if it’s not paired with a positive attitude and hard work. As your son puts this uplifting attitude into practice, he will quickly notice the appreciation he will receive from his coaches, teachers, and from you as his parents. This appreciation will help reinforce the power of a positive attitude.
When you teach your son to have a positive outlook on life while you are raising him, as an adult he will turn that positivity into opportunities that will help him be successful. Do you value the power of a positive attitude? Help reward that in your child by recognizing it and complimenting it when you hear him expressing positivity. What are your best tips for teaching the power of a positive attitude? Do you have any stories to share about how your positivity improves your life?