What to Do When You Grumble Too Much

Book excerpt: Did you know that life is like an obstacle course? It's exciting and fun, but full of tricky spots to get through. If you're a kid who feels so frustrated by those tricky spots that it's hard to enjoy the good things in life, this book is for you. What to Do When You Grumble Too Much guides children and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques used to treat negative thinking. Lively metaphors and illustrations help kids see life's hurdles in a new way, while drawing and writing activities help them master skills to get over those hurdles. And step-by-step instructions point the way toward becoming happier, more positive kids. This interactive self-help book is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to work toward change. Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers by psychologist and author Dawn Huebner, PhD. From the Note to Parents and Caregivers: Children who tend toward the negative are actually often happy, as long as everything is going well. And therein lies the catch, because in real life, there are glitches. One of the rides at the amusement park is out of commission, you forget to pick up the blueberry yogurt, a school friend chooses to sit with someone else. And that’s when the grumbling (and worse) begins. In the life of a child whose thinking quickly turns negative, a small mishap can shatter an afternoon. This book is part of the Magination Press What-to-Do Guides for Kids® series and includes an “Introduction to Parents and Caregivers.” What-to-Guides for Kids® are interactive self-help books designed to guide 6–12 year olds and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques most often used in the treatment of various psychological concerns. Engaging, encouraging, and easy to follow, these books educate, motivate, and empower children to work towards change. Introduction to Parents and Caregivers Chapter One: Are You Getting Stuck? Chapter Two: What Is Negativity? Chapter Three: How Does Negativity Get Started? Chapter Four: Strength and Flexibility Chapter Five: Exercise #1: Jumping Hurdles Chapter Six: Finding a Coach Chapter Seven: Exercise #2: Leaving the Past Behind Chapter Eight: Exercise #3: Flip Your Brain Chapter Nine: Exercise #4: The High Five Game Chapter Ten: What If Anger Gets in the Way? Chapter Eleven: How to Stay Positive Chapter Twelve: You Can Do It!