How To Stop Bad Attitudes From Spreading Throughout Your Family

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Have you ever seen the effects that one bad attitude can have on your family?

This past week, my husband caught a nasty head cold (in July-which is really annoying!) For several days, I cleaned every possible surface with disinfecting wipes. We washed our hands and kept dirty tissues safely disposed of away from the kids. Three times a day, my daughter was eating an orange with her meal.

Unfortunately, the germs still made their way into my toddler’s mouth. And from there, it was just a matter of time until this Mommy started to feel a scratchy throat and experienced the sniffles. Yesterday, our two month old son started to get a runny nose. Sigh…

Now I am not saying all this to get your sympathy (but I won’t turn down a sad pity look from other moms who have been there! 🙂 ) While up during the night nursing my son, I have plenty of time to think. Lately, my thoughts were how easy germs spread!

And how bad attitudes spread even faster!

Throughout the course of this past week, there was always a day where at least one of the four of us was in a “mood.” And that mood would quickly spread to the rest of the family!

So, how can a Christian mom seek to put an end to the infectious bad attitudes that will come? I mean, you can’t use Clorox wipes on attitudes so what does the trick to slow down the spread of infectious attitude problems in your home?

This past week I have been doing some studying, praying, and thinking about how God would want me to glorify Him while dealing with poor attitudes within my home. Here is what I have come up with so far (some are ones we have already practiced, some are ones that I am going to be more intentional about as I move forward.)

Surrender Your Own Poor Attitudes To God

It’s a lot harder to lead others away from poor attitudes when you are still in a funk yourself. Turn to God in prayer and surrender your poor attitudes. Let God show you the unhealthy thoughts and emotions in your life. Ask Him to help you gain control over your emotions before they cause you to do and say things that you regret.

Gain Control Over Your Own Emotions First

Emotions happen whether we like them or not. We are created to feel happy and sad and every other emotion in between. However, those emotions are NOT to dictate our actions and decisions. Just because I am angry about something does not give me the right to lash out and hurt another person. So, do what you must to bring your emotions under the Holy Spirit’s control before they spew out their toxic effects on the rest of your family.

Model Positive Behaviors to Your Family

Cheery people stink when you don’t want to be cheery so I want to clarify that you don’t have to pour on the syrup sweet fake happy to model positive behaviors. Trust me, your husband and kids will be able to pick that apart faster than dishes return to your sink dirty!

Instead, show a conscious effort to simply stay positive. Focus on what is going well within your home. Rather than letting disrespectful and sarcastic remarks roll off your tongue, choose silence or an encouraging word. Your husband and children will be grateful!

Recognize Your Triggers

My attitude can slump quickly if I see our bedroom looking less than put together. Therefore, I make a point to tidy it as soon as possible each morning. My husband’s worst trigger is hunger (we call it his “hangry” mood!) Keep him feed relatively healthy food on a regular basis and he becomes a new man. Our daughter is a scheduled creature if I ever saw one. Do NOT change her routine!

Look closely at what most frequently triggers your family’s bad attitudes and seek to counter attack those areas specifically.

Train Your Children To Recognize and Deal With Poor Attitudes

Encourage your children through these steps as they deal with their own bad moods. Help them learn to cope with their own poor attitudes. In this way, you are showing your family that it is okay to have days when they don’t feel okay. And that those days don’t have to lead to detrimental behaviors!

Take Practical Steps To Detour Poor Moods Before They Start

“The best offense is a good defense.” as my football loving husband quips frequently. And there is truth to that when dealing with poor attitudes too! Take practical actions to stop bad attitudes before they are even formed.

Make bedtime routines to ensure everyone stays well-rested. Avoid junk foods that lead to sugar crashes. Go outside to play in the fresh air whenever the weather allows. (Sunshine and fresh air does wonders for my family!) Play music that your family enjoys. Make a point to laugh and joke when the opportunity arises.

Basically, just be proactive to catch bad moods before they start!

Your Turn

Poor attitudes and moods can quickly spread and leave your family in emotional shambles. Take time to let God pinpoint and help you remove the poor attitudes in your own heart and life so that you can help your family do likewise.

What are some ways you recognize and counter bad attitudes in your own life? What are some triggers in your family that lead to bad days? How can you better prepare to avoid those triggers in the future? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for stopping by!

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