Usually, when I talk about this idea I use the phrase, "Is the glass half empty or half full.” Today, I’m talking about parenting a child with neurological differences. When dealing with this child, it’s almost always characterized by a “half empty” attitude. This type of negativity is a challenge for a parent and others who are close to this child.
When negativity comes, what are some strategies that may help?
- Model a positive mindset when speaking with your child. Be conscious of the choice of words used even in more negative situations.
- Motivate your child by suggesting more positive ways of communicating. It may be necessary to give the child a phrase or two that he can pick instead of the negative phrase that is his “go to phrase.”
- Encourage more positive phrases by allowing your child to earn incentives by using phrases and exhibiting “the glass is half full” attitude.
- Use verbal praise when the child has the attitude and verbal response that is a move in the right direction.
This is a slow process to retrain a child to give up a negative way of looking at the world. It is two-fold. After the negativity is diminished, it needs to be replaced by a positive attitude and words. It may be a long process but the sooner it’s begun the sooner progress can be seen.
