Hearing your child giggle and seeing their first smile are two of the most joyful experiences for parents. In those moments, we yearn for our offspring to have nothing but joy as they grow. Creating happiness in children requires careful parenting, but no work is more rewarding.
Fulfill Basic Needs
Courtesy of Today’s Family Dentist
One key to lifelong happiness is ensuring children have their most basic needs met. They need to have the stability in their schedules and food in their bellies and human touch on their skin to feel they are safe in this world. Happy and content children trust the adults in their lives to come through for them– which they must. Those adults foster confidence, self-worth, and purpose in the lives of happy children.
Limits Wants and Desires
Courtesy of Parenting
It’s easy to get caught up in spoiling our children, but that only does a disservice to the whole family. Children who get most everything they want are never satisfied. If they only hear yes, they may think the world operates that way and fail to be able to function in a society with limits and negotiations. In order to establish happiness in children, it’s important to teach them the satisfaction of having and needing less.
Mayday! Mayday! Avoid Helicopter Parenting!
Courtesy of The Washington Post
Visit a playground today and observe the differences in modern parenting from that of our own youth. Those precariously high metal slides have been replaced with the safest equipment possible– and it is pretty cool! Even with all the modern day precautions, parents feel the need to hover around their child, keeping them safe from all danger. Instead, encourage safe exploration and taking small risks. Remember this is the time for children to learn to trust themselves, not expect their parents to always swoop in.
Happy Parents, Happy Children, Happy Lives
Courtesy of Huffington Post
The happiest of children come from the simplest of ingredients– happy homes. Rather than fancy toys, expensive gaming systems, or even elaborate trips, children need to witness joy in their parents. They are continually looking to us to learn how to experience the world, and if we do it with timidity, anger, or fear, they will do the same. Instead, instill happiness in children by being happy yourself.
Not many of us remember the first time we felt happiness, but we certainly remember watching our children experience it for the first time. Give your child the gift of lifelong joy by meeting their needs, establishing boundaries, allowing them space, and creating a joyful home. For more parenting tips on raising children with particular behavior troubles, check out our other articles!
Leave a Reply