Growing Optimism
How parents can supercharge
their child's attitude

"It's important to us that our son grows up knowing everything he can do, instead of seeing roadblocks everywhere," she says. "I try to encourage him when he hits a block of some sort-mental or physical. For instance, he tends to get frustrated very easily. So when I sense his frustration mounting, I remind him 'What do we do when we get frustrated? We keep trying or we ask for help.' I use the same words over and over. I hope those sentiments will stick in his mind, and that they will come to him in the future when he finds himself stuck."

Dr. Luick also suggests that parents teach their children responsibility in order to gain a positive attitude. "Somehow many of our children think that life is fair. They think that they should get everything that they want. But life really isn't fair and we should endeavor to establish a strong foundation of responsibility and good work ethic in our children."

He suggests that parents use the opportunities whenever they arise to teach their children about responsibility and attitude.