I read about Mrs OCs positive assemblies with particular interest, as I have had a real-life example of how the attitudes of other people affect our wellbeing over the last week. It comes in the shape of a visit from my German mother-in-law!
I find her visits particularly draining, as she looks upon life so negatively. One example being; “Why does England come to a stop when it snows? 3000 schools closed, how ridiculous.” (Of course, no amount of explaining that our weather is a bit different and we don’t get snow every year etc etc will change the view that we are a third-world generation). On listening to her 5 year old grandson read fluently from a book about space, you would think she would be proud at what he can do. Instead, she says; “Well, my friend who’s a teacher says that despite starting school years earlier, English kids don’t do as well as German children.”
Then, last night, after her grandson’s birthday party, the criticism came forth; there were too many children, most of them didn’t even speak to him, the presents are plastic, the hall was too cold, two boys didn’t join in the party games and they didn’t eat half the food. I went to bed really dejected, thinking that my son had not had a good time and that his friends would have preferred the usual magician/bowling/disco type party.
Then, this morning four mums came up to me to say how much fun their children had at the party, and my mood changed. It has set me up for a positive, enjoyable day today and I am about to set about work (a little late, admittedly) with a whole new attitude. I am sure that I will be more creative, more fun to be around and more productive than I would have been had I remained in the grump I was in at bedtime last night.
So, I call for all teachers who may read this to go into school tomorrow (and every day) with a hugely positive attitude. It doesn’t only affect your life but also the lives of everyone around you.