Is there actually a guide or a formula to ensure you are in fact raising happy children? Well sort of. Read on.
Let’s start by asking: what makes a happy child? Is it giving into their every whim—and granting them whatever is they are demanding—or is it about patience, secure attachments, and validating their experiences? Yes, it’s the more difficult one, the latter. Giving in to your child’s every need and immediately stepping in whenever they are emotional in any way, is coddling them. And it is counter effective as it will not best prepare them for the real world, nor will it assist them in building self confidence.
It is most certainly important to achieve the balance while still allowing your child to express emotions, and come up with their own coping mechanisms and resilience to certain situations. This in turn will assist them in becoming more self-reliant, especially when they are able to resolve what is standing in their way on their own. You will most surely see happiness in their eyes for being able to achieve this all by themselves. There’s your happiness.
Now let’s talk gratitude. Did you know gratitude is actually directly linked to happiness? Positive psychology research states that gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. It probably has something to do with it helping people in general feel more positive emotions.
All it takes is a daily conversation with your children about what they did that day, what they enjoyed most and what or who are they grateful for. All the while talking about the happiness this brought them that day will for sure make that feeling linger and last. Once you make this a regular ritual, you literally instill that thought process in them, ensuring that “happy” feeling is there along with it.
And seriously, don’t neglect yourself. What you do, your child will do. So, do what makes you happy, whether it is meditating, reading, exercising, etc. It won’t go unnoticed. Your kids will want to do the same. They will grow up alongside you being aware of what proper health, movement and nutrition means. And seriously one of the best things you can do for your child’s emotional well-being is to attend to yours.