How to respond when your child complains

I've recently discovered something called the Big Life Journal - a growth-mindset tool to help raise happy, resilient kids.  This week's topic is how to deal with negative outlooks, or as I like to call, "the Eeyore syndrome" for those Winnie the Pooh fans out there.  

Be sure to check out the FREE download to create your own Jar of Awesome (see below).

Got other tips or tricks?  Please share!  

---

7 Powerful Ways to Respond When Your Child Complains
by Rebecca Louick June 28, 2018

Complaining and whining are two of the most frustrating things parents face. They are also completely normal. In fact, the average adult complains 30 times a day or 9 minutes total! 
Kids complain for lots of good reasons: to blow off steam, to connect with us, and because they feel powerless. Other times, the complaints might mask an underlying emotion that needs to be released.
Whatever the cause, complaining and whining are opportunities to help our kids find better ways to express their feelings, and shift to a more positive mindset.
While it’s normal to vent sometimes, frequent complaining is not a healthy option.

Repeated complaining rewires your brain….Over time, you find it’s easier to be negative than to be positive, regardless of what’s happening around you.  - Dr. Travis Bradberry

A study at Stanford University showed that complaining shrinks the hippocampus, an area of the brain necessary for problem-solving and emotion regulation.
​
Here are some strategies to help kids express their dissatisfaction in healthier, more positive ways.

Here's a fun activity for your home or classroom that will help you turn around the negativity and complaining. Get the free printable (see below), and create the Jar of Awesome by following instructions. 

Whenever you need a little motivation or positivity boost, pick a piece of paper from the jar, read it, and celebrate YOUR awesome moments!

the_jar_of_awesome.pdf
File Size:	1319 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

Happy summer!
Dr. V