As I've gotten older and taken more diagnostic tests, I've realized that I'm not that smart or talented. I get by on decent judgment and a truckload of optimism.
I'd love to pass along my optimism to my kids, but without making them delusional. Anyone have suggestions on how to achieve that delicate balance?
Along those lines: are you an optimist or a pessimist... and what about your parents? Did you get your optimism/pessimism from your parents?
GOLD / wonderful coffee bean / 18478 posts
DH and I talk about this all the time. We were both raised by pessimists to become pessimists. We would really like DD to be more optimistic.
persimmon / 1202 posts
Optimistic pessimist - I expect the worst case scenario, and try to see the bright side in that. I'm rarely disappointed.
kiwi / 678 posts
I think I'm a realist. I guess I just let my kid know that the world is full of wonder and beautiful things, but there are just as many shitty things, too. Suck it up and deal with the shitty things because they don't last forever. Enjoy every second of the beautiful things because they don't last forever either. Be happy with what you have and remember your attitude about your life is what will ultimately shape it.
pomegranate / 3503 posts
I'm definitely a pessimist. My parents are borderline delusional. I think it's because they've been through so much in life that nothing really phases them. I would like my children to be somewhere in the middle.
persimmon / 1453 posts
My parents were optimistic, but extremely laid back and rather unmotivated to make changes if a situation was bad.
I'd like to teach my kids that it's completely OK for bad things to happen--life comes with hard knocks--but it's their attitude and actions that really define a situation. They should never take the good things in their life for granted because of a bad day. It's the big picture perspective that will keep them happy and motivated.
honeydew / 7504 posts
I'm pretty optimistic, as were my parents. Hubs is a terrible pessimist, as are his parents. For this part of LO's personality, I'm really hoping I rub off more. I'm optimistic, but also realistic. I aim for the best, but I'm fully aware that it may not happen and that I'll recover if it doesn't.
bananas / 9227 posts
I'm not so sure what to label myself anymore. Growing up, I always thought I was an optimist, but I tend to always prepare for the worst-case scenario. DH is about the same as me, though I'm more of an optimist (but it might just be a cultural thing). He also doesn't analyze situations like I do, which leaves him blissfully unaware most of the time. But at the same time, I give people the benefit of the doubt (which makes me seem naive at times).
I intend to raise my children as realists. I want them to know where they excel, but at the same time understand their limitations - by limitations, I don't mean anything they can achieve by practice or hard work, but say if they can't carry a tune and want to be a singer.
cantaloupe / 6791 posts
@cyneswith: "Optimistic pessimist - I expect the worst case scenario, and try to see the bright side in that. I'm rarely disappointed."
This is me too. exactly.
DH is an optimist and I hope we can raise our children with some sort of balance.
coconut / 8299 posts
I'm an optimist when it comes to other people but more of a pessimist when it comes to myself. Not sure what that means though. haha. My husband is definitely a realist.
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts
I think my parents were good at pointing out the positives, but they didn't lie about it. Like they would never tell me that I'm awesome at something I'm not (well they did when I was teeny tiny and did ballet.....) but as a grown up they wouldn't say you're amazing at everything, especially spelling. I suck at spelling, we all know it. And they wouldn't tell my brother that he's good at art, as everyone knows he can't draw a straight line.
But they did tell us what we are good at and encouraged those things.
I like to think I'm a realist. I'm optimistic or pesssimistic when it's deserved.
blogger / nectarine / 2687 posts
this is so hard...and also reminds me of the balance between giving my child confidence vs. making him self-inflated. i know he's only 2, but we try to make sure we encourage him when necessary, but also help him acknowledge his frustration when he fails and the opportunities to learn from it instead of coddling him.
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 0 |
| Posts | 1 | 0 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
13 comments