Legacy Library Review: Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World

By Zig Ziglar

Jennifer Mount - Book Review

Objective

I picked up Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World because I want to keep growing as a person, mom, grandma, influencer, and most importantly, as Leon’s Honey. My goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress. I want to become a better version of myself for Leon than I was for Tyler and Hadlee. If I know better, I must do better.

This book felt like a roadmap. It reminded me that no matter what the world looks like, we still have the power to shape our children’s attitudes, beliefs, and sense of self-worth.

Introduction

There are practical steps we can take to increase our odds of being better parents, and it begins with mindset. An optimistic outlook isn’t something that just descends on us one morning. It’s a daily decision. When we choose our attitude, we also teach our children how to choose theirs.

This truth reinforced something I’ve grown to understand about my role. It’s not just about protecting Leon from the world; it’s about preparing him for it. We must visualize our children and grandchildren growing into strong, creative, kind, and faith-filled adults. When we see that future clearly, it changes the way we lead, discipline, and love them right now.

Building a Foundation of Love and Discipline

Zig Ziglar reminds us that raising positive kids requires a blend of love, discipline, forgiveness, and genuine care for their future well-being. We must see the tremendous potential inside every child.

Zig says, “You are where you are because of what has gone into your mind… and you can change where you go based on what you put into your mind.”
This truth applies to us as adults, and it’s the same message we should pass on to the next generation. The input determines the output.

Our words, tone, and consistency matter. The way we speak to a child eventually becomes the voice they use on themselves. When we practice discipline and self-awareness, we make it easier for them to follow suit.

I want to teach Leon, and all children, the power of self-control — staying steady when emotions rise and choosing perseverance when life gets hard. When we prepare our kids to face difficulty with courage and faith, we give them tools they’ll use for the rest of their lives.

💭 Reflection: What can we adjust in our discipline or instruction so our kids are better equipped to handle life’s tough moments with strength, confidence, and grace?

The Power of Environment

Ziglar challenges us to look closely at the environments we create for our kids, especially inside our homes. He says, “Don’t think of it as an alarm clock; think of it as an opportunity clock.” That one line shifted my mindset more than I expected.

How we start our days matters. The energy, sounds, conversations, and music in our homes shape how our children think, feel, and behave.

Music, for example, is incredibly influential. Words and lyrics create pictures in their minds. If they hear messages of love, hope, and joy, that’s the world they imagine. If they hear messages of anger or despair, that becomes their soundtrack. Research shows that uplifting melodies enhance creativity, relaxation, and emotional stability — the type of environment where positive kids can flourish.

Television has a similar effect. Ziglar wrote that relying on TV too often can dull the very process that helps kids grow into thoughtful, caring, perceptive people. He noted that children without TV might initially feel “different,” but within weeks they become happier, more communicative, affectionate, morally responsible, and socially confident.

It sounds extreme, but it’s also freeing. We get to choose the rhythm of our homes.

For Leon, we’ve talked about being intentional with screen time. I love the idea of giving him freedom within boundaries — maybe a weekly punch-card system where he chooses his shows. When the tickets are gone, screens are off. It teaches responsibility, prioritizing, and self-control, all wrapped in a simple system.

Teaching Responsibility and Awareness

Parenting isn’t about control; it’s about guidance and awareness.

Ziglar highlights that to protect our kids, we must know where they are, who they’re with, and what influences are shaping them. It’s not helicopter parenting. It’s intentional parenting.

He quotes Dr. Forest Tennant, a world-renowned addiction expert, who said that over ninety five percent of people who use drugs started with tobacco. Early habits matter. Every cigarette, Ziglar noted, is a choice to live fourteen minutes less.

These statistics aren’t meant to scare us, they’re meant to wake us up with wisdom.

The answer isn’t to shelter children from every temptation. It’s to equip them with truth, discernment, and a strong sense of identity. Letting them make small mistakes now, while the stakes are low, builds resilience. Obstacles become teachers. Disappointment becomes strength training.

Zig says, “When you respond to life’s obstacles with a positive attitude, you turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones.”

For me, this means learning to step back. I can’t, and shouldn’t, fix every problem Leon faces. My role is to help him discover solutions and trust his own strength.

Faith and Family in the Modern World

Raising children today can feel overwhelming. Negativity seems louder, distractions come from every direction, and values often feel upside down. But faith remains the foundation.

We can’t control culture, but we can create a climate inside our homes that is filled with peace, prayer, gratitude, and purpose. Here, our children can watch love in action, see forgiveness practiced daily, and hear hope spoken again and again.

In our family, that looks like gratitude habits, talking about God in everyday moments, and reframing obstacles as opportunities to grow in faith. When children see consistency between what we say and how we live, they learn trust. When they watch us fail and get back up, they learn resilience. When they see us pray through the hard days, they learn where true strength comes from.

Closing Reflection

Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World isn’t a book about controlling outcomes. It’s a reminder that legacy begins at home.

Raising positive kids doesn’t mean shielding them from every hardship. It means preparing them to face the world with confidence, compassion, and faith.

The greatest legacy we leave isn’t financial — it’s spiritual and emotional. It’s teaching our children to love deeply, think clearly, choose kindness, and trust that God is working even when life feels hard.

Our children may grow up in a challenging world, but with intention, discipline, and faith, they can rise above it.

So whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or mentor, remember this: every word you speak, every boundary you set, and every act of love you model becomes the soil where strong roots grow. And most importantly, actions speak louder than words, so live what you preach.

Legacy Library Takeaway

The input we give our kids becomes the voice they carry into adulthood. Fill their minds and hearts with words of life, because those words will one day become their world.

For more insights on positive parenting and child development, check out The Child Mind Institute. They offer valuable resources and research-backed information for parents navigating today’s world.