Fishful Thinking

In this episode, Dr. Reivich and a group of moms who practice Fishful Thinking discuss how to build self confidence and self efficacy and the differences between the two. This includes detailed information on using person praise versus process praise. The group comments on how learning the importance of instilling self- confidence and self efficacy in their children has positively impacted their lives

Goal Setting/Hope isn’t just passively wishing and waiting for something to happen. Hope leads to the drive to set and pursue goals, take risks and initiate action. Hope fuels problem-solving and helps children develop personal strengths and social resources. Research shows that high-hope people are excited about the future and set goals for themselves.



In this episode, Dr. Reivich provides in-depth information on Goal Setting/Hope, one of the key ingredients of the Fishful Thinking Program, and how Fishful ThinkingSM gives parents tools to teach their children how to set positive goals, develop a system of appropriate rewards, and promote strategies of thinking that will enable children to go after whatever they want out of life.

Empowerment (or self-efficacy) is the belief in one’s self. Children with the skills of empowerment believe that they are effective in the world. They have learned their strengths and weaknesses and rely on their strengths to navigate the challenges in life. Children with self-efficacy dream big, because they believe in their capacity to work for their dreams.


Dr. Reivich provides in-depth information on Empowerment, one of the key ingredients of the Fishful Thinking Program, and how Fishful ThinkingSM provides parents with articles, tips and simple family-oriented activities that build a sense of competence and mastery, empowering children to reach their fullest potential.

Emotional awareness is the ability to identify and express what you are feeling and to have empathy for what others are feeling. It's the building block of a healthy emotional life. Children who are comfortable with the full range of feelings have an easier time connecting with others, are more at ease with themselves, and are strong communicators.



In this episode, Dr. Reivich and a group of moms who practice Fishful Thinking discuss how learning the importance of raising their child's emotional awareness has positively impacted their lives.

Emotional awareness is the ability to identify and express what you are feeling and to have empathy or what others are feeling. It's the building block of a healthy emotional life. Children who are comfortable with the full range of feelings have an easier time connecting with others, are more at ease with themselves, and are strong communicators.



Dr. Reivich provides in-depth information about Emotional Awareness, one of the key ingredients of the Fishful ThinkingSM program, and how Fishful Thinking teaches parents how to help their children express their feelings in healthy ways and how to cope with sadness, anxiety or embarrassment.

Optimism is the skill of focusing on the positive – without denying the negative – and channeling one’s energy toward what is controllable. Optimistic people expect good things to happen in their lives and work toward creating positive change. Fishful ThinkingSM



Dr. Reivich provides in-depth information about Optimism, one of the key ingredients of the Fishful Thinking Program, and how Fishful Thinking helps parents learn new ways to promote optimism in their families and to create an environment that fosters positive emotions and the belief in possibilities.

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, learn from failure, be motivated by challenges and believe in your own abilities to deal with the stress and difficulties in life..Resilience is critical to a child’s overall success in life and happiness. All children need resilience and, fortunately, it can be learned.



In this episode, a group of moms who practice Fishful Thinking discuss how learning the importance of instilling resiliency in their children has positively impacted their lives

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, learn from failure, be motivated by challenges and believe in your own abilities to deal with the stress and difficulties in life..Resilience is critical to a child’s overall success in life and happiness. All children need resilience and, fortunately, it can be learned.



In this episode, Dr. Reivich shares in-depth information about Resilience and how Fishful ThinkingSM helps parents talk to their children in ways that build their ability to thrive no matter what life puts in their path

Keeping up with the demands of parenting is challenging for many parents. The Pepperidge Farm Goldfish brand conducted a survey with moms nationwide, asking them about the joys and challenges of raising children. In this show, Dr. Reivich and a group of moms who practice Fishful Thinking discuss the results of the survey, which reveals that the majority of mothers believe that being a mom is the best, and most challenging, job they have ever had.

In this show, we will introduce you to Dr. Karen Reivich, a leader in the field of Positive Psychology and the mother of four. Dr. Reivich is the co-director of the Penn Resiliency Project and a research associate in the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, where she also completed her B.A. and her Ph.D... Together with Drs. Seligman and Jaycox, and Gillham, Reivich is a co-author of the book "The Optimistic Child" and co-authored "The Resilience Factor" with Dr. Andrew Shatte´. In addition, Dr. Reivich has a coaching practice and provides consultation to organizations around the themes of resilience, optimism, and strength development. Dr. Reivich's current work focuses on helping parents and educators to promote well-being in children and adolescents.



Dr. Reivich has partnered with the Goldfish® brand to create Fishful Thinking. Fishful Thinking is a program for parents that helps them to raise children who have a positive attitude and can confidently tackle life’s challenges.