Setting an example for our kids - look for the positive

Setting an example for our kids - look for the positive

It’s funny how kids (or impending parenthood) can cause us to take a look at our own behaviour. I keep thinking, oh I must stop swearing, or I must learn to get organized etc because that’ is the behaviour I want to model for my child.  I don’t want to say “do as I say not as I do”.

One thing that I am working on at the moment is being positive. I figure I have a better chance of having a happy child if my child has a happy mum. That is a behaviour I want to model for my child.

When we look for the negative we usually find it. Have you ever noticed that everything seems to go wrong when you are having a bad day and all those ‘idiot drivers’ seem to cross your path and anything that can possibly go wrong does? Is that really the case or are you just noticing them more because you are looking for negatives? I wonder too if we don’t subconsciously place ourselves in bad situations so we will find what we are looking for.

So now when I am out driving I try to notice and comment on the positive or courteous driving I see rather than the careless or dangerous drivers (of course I still try to keep an eye out for them so I can get out of their way).

When I am shopping I try to focus on all the polite courteous service I receive. OK sometimes I come across some shocking customer service but if I balance that against all the good service I have received it doesn’t seem so bad.

I find it works in relationships too. If you focus on your partners mistakes or unthinking behaviours you may not notice the caring and considerate actions. Try to catch him doing something right!

We tend to find what we look for so if you are looking for things to praise in your partner or your child’s behaviour  or in your day in general you will see positives that you may otherwise have missed.

Try it tomorrow and see how your day goes.