The umbrella skills help us get through life’s rainy days and frame the opportunities which come our way. Over the course of May, we have worked together to identify how to build your child’s realistic optimism skill.
Answer these three quick questions for yourself and then repeat the exercise with your child. Total up the score to take a snapshot of where your child’s realistic optimism is right now.
1. I think that most things I do will turn out OK. Score: 0, 1, 2, 3
2. My past experiences have prepared me well for the future. Score: 0, 1, 2, 3
3. Even when others get discouraged, I know I can find a way to solve the problem. Score: 0, 1, 2, 3
Scoring system:
0 – Very seldom or not true of me
1 – Seldom true of me
2 – Often true of me
3 – Almost always true of me
Results:
0-3 Your realistic optimism skill has started to develop. Actively look for ways to practice this important skill. Here are two places to get started: Have a Plan A, B, & C [Video Tip], Identify Strong Coping Skills [Video Tip]
4-6 Keep working at it. Your realistic optimism skill is growing. Here are a few places to gather more information about building realistic optimism: Create a Negative Sandwich [Video Tip], Schedule in Worry Time [Video Tip]
7-9 Your realistic optimism skill is well developed. Keep it up!