Positive Parenting: Simple Ways To Have A Happy Home

These past few days I have been  trying to see the world through rose colored glasses, have a half-glass full mentality, really focus on the positive.

So when the washing machine overflowed and my son ran in to help but then just stood there watching, I bit my lip and did not say:

“Hello, are you just going to stand there and do nothing or will you go get some towels?”

Instead I said,

“M. quick, grab some towels from the closet!”

After we cleaned it up, I said,

“Thanks for coming right when I called you. I appreciate that you rushed in to help.”

When my son washed down the kitchen table but missed a couple of  key spots, I did not say:

“Is this what you call cleaning the table?”

Instead I said,

“I appreciate that you cleaned the table.”

When my daughter made her bed but left her  draw open with all her clothes hanging out, I did not say what I really wanted to say:

“Why do you always have to leave your drawers so messy? How much effort does it really take to close a drawer?”

Instead I said:

“Your bedroom  looks neat and tidy. One of your drawers were left open.”

When my son  only stripped his sheets, but forgot his duvet cover, and ran out the door to catch his bus, I did not yell after him:

“Come on, do I have to do everything around here? You are so irresponsible. You are just going to have to sleep with a dirty duvet cover (as if he would care!) until next week!”

Instead I said:

“Looks like you had a rough morning getting yourself together. Don’t worry about the duvet cover, I will grab it.”

I thought I would get annoyed but I didn’t. It definitely took a lot of effort to not say what I really wanted to say, but it was worth it. It felt as if the positivity was contagious. There was feel good vibe in the house as a result.

I definitely want to continue with this project.

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