• Parenting
  • Marriage
  • Spiritual Growth
  • Home Life
    • Email
    • Facebook

Christian Mommy

Providing mom's with practical, thought provoking articles to equip and encourage them in their parenting journey and nourish their spiritual life.

  • Contributors
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • MOM
    • Children
    • Tweens
    • Family & Parenting
    • Freebies & Projects
  • Contact

Parenting

Here’s How You Can Raise a Hopeful Child

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:19a)

Axel lay on the floor, his math page in front of him, fat pencils and a thick eraser spread around him like a horseshoe. But instead of working out the equations, his face was buried into the carpet. “I can’t do this!” he insisted, kicking his toes into the floor.

At the age of ten, he was discouraged.

I wasn’t quite sure what to do. Not only was Axel discouraged, but so was I. Perhaps the most frustrating thing was that I knew he could do that math. He just had to overcome the negative way he was thinking about his homework—and himself. I just didn’t know how to help him overcome it.

Every parent has dreams for their children. We hope that our children grow up to be happy, healthy, and have meaningful relationships. We don’t want them to feel discouraged. As Christian parents, we define hope as something we experience because of Jesus Christ. Like Hebrews 6:19 says, hope is an anchor that helps us get through hard times.

But hope is not just about our faith. It’s also about how your child thinks. It’s a style of thinking—a way of developing vision and motivation.

In the 1990s, a positive psychologist named C.R. Snyder developed hope theory, which helps people visualize goals and move toward them. Snyder believed that hope could be taught to others, even when they were deeply discouraged.

Think about that for a moment. You can raise a hopeful child, no matter what their circumstances. Not only can you teach your child about hope in Jesus; you can teach them how to think and behave hopefully.

What did Axel need in that moment? He needed to do his homework, yes. But he needed something more—something foundational that would carry him through moments of discouragement. He needed to think differently about what he could do, and he needed to develop the inner motivation to get it done.

There’s one powerful tool that helps to establish this foundation. It’s hopeful language, which is how you speak to your child, and how you teach your child to speak. Language is evidence of what your child is thinking. But it is also a method of changing his thinking. The language we hear changes the way we think, feel, and behave—either for the positive or for the negative.

Have you ever had a moment with your child like the moment I had with Axel? It can feel overwhelming and frustrating. Mama, let me give you hope today. I learned to change my language to be more hopeful. You can, too.

Over the next two months, I’ll discuss seven simple tools to help your child increase hope—tools to help you feel more hopeful about your parenting. You’ll learn what hopeful language sounds like for each tool.

When hopeful vision and motivation is combined with faith in Jesus, your child is on the right path to overcome life’s challenges. (Even math homework!) Hope is indeed the anchor for your child’s soul.

Stay tuned for part two of Seven Simple Tools for Raising Hopeful Kids, to appear March 2019 on The Christian Mommy.


2 Comments

About Amy O'Hana

Dr. Amy O'Hana is a Christ-follower and a licensed professional counselor. Her day job as a university professor fulfills what her mama always told her she was born to do—teach. But her biggest passions are writing and speaking, inspiring growth and healing through simple tools rooted in faith and psychological principles. She lives in the mountains of Central Oregon. Amy has parented six children and has loved many more kids as an auntie and advocate.

« Resolutions vs Goals: Which One Works for You?
How to Teach Your Children to Tame Their Tongues »

Comments

  1. Elora says

    February 1, 2019 at 5:10 pm

    This definitely hits home with my 10-year-old daughter & frustration often takes over because as you said, I know she’s more than capable. I’m super excited to follow this because it’s definitely needed in our house! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. Heather says

    February 5, 2019 at 7:05 pm

    “You can raise a hopeful child, no matter the circumstances.” I love that idea. Regardless of what is going on, they can hold onto hope. I look forward to hearing more next month!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign up to get the latest content from Christian Mommy and get a summer reading list for kids.

Popular Posts

  • Did You Know Your Life Story Has Been Written by God?
  • Enter Our Holiday Bible Giveaway
  • Praying For Your Husband When Anger Overwhelms You
  • Here’s How to Write a Beautiful Love Letter to Your Husband
  • Enjoy a FREE One-Week Meal Plan Courtesy of Christian Mommy

More from the blog…

How Can We Believe in Something That We Can’t See?

How to teach your child about diversity, compassion, and the fine art of friendship

Experience the Blessing of Thanksgiving and Receiving

Follow this simple routine to help give you and your kids more peace in the morning time

Are you teaching your child to pray the right way? Here’s three truths you need to know.

connect with us

  • Email
  • Facebook
Subscribe

Copyright © 2023 TheChristianMommy.com · Theme by Restored 316 · Design Customizations by Moritz Fine Designs

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in