How Parents Turn Dark Moods into Bright Attitudes

Your sulking child won’t talk. You ask yourself:

1. Is she mad at me for saying, ‘No.”
2. Did her brother tease her about the pimple on her chin?
3. Has her best friend dumped her for a new girlfriend?

You can torture yourself or not.

I remember a student in high school who often pouted at home. She had the nicest parents. They’d ask her, “What’s wrong, Honey?” With a cranky voice, “Nothing,” she’d answer.

Lovingly they’d pursue her with concerned questions. She’d keep on pouting. At 14 years, I saw the power she had over her parents. They were too nice. They tortured themselves in their efforts to help her when she was pouting. Find out what they might have done differently to achieve a better outcome.

Of course, if your child is severely depressed, get professional help.

Otherwise, you can worry about your child’s mood or not.

If you choose not to worry, you can still care. But don’t torture yourself with doubt and fear.

You already know thoughts have a strong influence on our feelings. Thoughts and feelings influence our actions too. As parents, you can use this knowledge to help your children, especially your moody kids.

When to Talk to Moody Children

You know from your own experience when your child is in a snit, talking doesn’t work. When he’s grumpy, he wants to hold on to his grumpiness. He might feel justified, and to him, that feels good. Wait until his mood ends.

This Conversation Helps Moody Kids Talk

Benny, I noticed you had strong feelings two hours ago. What were they about?

You always take her side.

Tell me more.

Let Benny talk. Listen and don’t interrupt or argue.

Make sure Benny feels heard by repeating what he said.

In your patient voice tell how you saw the situation. Be truthful.

Listen to his response.

Repeat what he said in your own words again.

When he’s finished expressing his thoughts and feelings, request he come up with a solution.

If you agree, ask,

What can we do to take care of things before they become problems?

Can we talk things out like we’re doing now?

OK, let me know whenever you want to talk. I’m always here for you.

You will need to use this kind of conversation often. Your child needs time and practice to talk about his problems. With your help, he will learn better communication skills. His grumpy moods will lessen too.

More Parenting Solutions: How Children’s Brains Are Sponges

I remember when my dad wanted my brother and me to drink a glass of buttermilk. We’d never had it before and didn’t want to try it. My brother, said “No.”

I didn’t say anything. I was 6 years-old and thought, ‘I’ll get it over with’ so I took that glass and gulped the buttermilk down.

It took my brother, one hour, to finally drink it.

Because he took so long, my dad poured him a second glass. Neither of us have ever touched buttermilk again.

When faced with an unpleasant task, my mother often said, “Let’s, get it over with.” I heard it and, like a sponge, I absorbed it. It helped me gulp the buttermilk.

5 Motivational Thoughts Moody Kids Can Absorb

From an early age teach your children to accept that life is not always pleasant. There are distasteful duties that need to be done. Helpful family sayings, said often enough for kids to absorb, can help them now and in the future.

1. ‘Let’s get it over with,’ Helped me drink the buttermilk and tackle other unpleasant tasks throughout my life.
2. ‘Save the best to the last,’ helped me, as an eight-year old, slug down my Aunt Myrtle’s oyster dinner. I wanted to savor her yummy lemon meringue pie. This slogan has helped me get things done before I reward myself.
3. ‘First this, then that,’ helped my boys do their chores before they played. Today they are productive because that saying lives inside their thoughts.
4. ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try try again.’ helped many parents whom I counseled. They raised their kids to keep on striving. Their kids became successful students.
5. ‘Just do it,’ by Nike has inspired many to do their best when facing difficult challenges.

Whether your kids are moody or not, motivational sayings can influence them for life. Because, if you say positive slogans often, they’ll absorb them.

5 Ways to Add Joyful Moods to Your Family Life

Making your home fun is an easy solution to changing moods. Try these ideas and brainstorm more with your family.

1. Family Music Night

   Don’t let your kids become shy, fearful of making mistakes, or feel their opinions don’t count. Loosen them up by planning a Family Music Night. Turn on the music and ask, “Who wants to:

   • Sing?”

   • Dance?”

   • Clap to rhythm?”

   • Whistle?”

   • Mime a song?”

   • Play an instrument?”

     Keep playing until everyone has tried each music style.

2. Family Slumber Party

   Building character takes more than basic rules. It takes fun times together. A family slumber party will be remembered long after it is over. Ask your family:

   • When shall we schedule it?

   • Who’ll oversee the sleeping bags?

   • Who’ll make the popcorn?

   • What ghost stories shall we read?

   • Shall we laugh, talk, and giggle late into the night?

     The slumber party can be unique to your family’s liking. It can lift moods and create family fun.

3. Family Bike Rides

   Biking is a body building exercise. It bonds members together with fresh air, nature, and fun. Seek out special bike trails and end it with a family picnic.

4. Family Swims

   Does your family have a pool, a lake, or an ocean with a life-guard nearby? Family swims are wonderful ways to play together. They help your members enjoy each other and feel close.

5. Family Games

   After dinner clean-up is a great time for board games, card games, checkers, chess, or pantomimes. They help kids think, be creative, have fun with you and each other. They’re like a reward at the end of the day. They can be a good time to teach sportsmanship too.

How Parents and Moody Kids Thrive

Don’t exhaust yourself by begging, “Please tell me what’s wrong.” Instead, talk to him when his mood is good. Discuss the prior situation and the problems with moodiness.

Use optimistic slogans and quotes that fit your family. They will absorb them.

Create fun times together. They will bring ‘sunshine’ into your home.

As my mother often said, “Look on the bright side.” Let’s follow that advice and turn kids’ dark moods into bright attitudes.