As parents, we all want what is best for our children. We want them to be happy as they are growing and successful and accomplished when adults. But as you develop characteristics of effective parenting, you want to raise kids with the characteristics of a happy child.
Truth be told, there are some very simple and easy things you can do in order to help your children develop the characteristics that will make them become amazing, happy and well-rounded adults.
It will take a concerted effort on your part, but at the end of the day, the actions you take will mean you have HAPPY children, and that is all that matters.
IT STARTS WITH YOU
Children learn by example. This means that if you are a happy, carefree, responsible adult in your everyday life, your child will see this and start to mimic it. They will want what you have.
They will want to smile and be happy and find gratitude in every moment.
Ironically, this calls for some selfishness in some respect because you will need to be able to step away from the family every now and again and do what makes you feel truly happy – so that you can share your happier self with your children.
HELP THEM BE BETTER PEOPLE
Teaching your kids how to build meaningful relationships is a big step towards raising happy and successful children.
It is easy for them to be within a group of friends at school and follow the crowd, but teaching them skills like empathy and doing kind things for others or being able to say things to help others feel better is a gift that will keep on giving.
They will see a positive reaction from others and start to feel happy and fulfilled inside.
NOBODY IS PERFECT
Perfection is not a normal state of being. Many parents overemphasize the importance of winning, of high achievement, of perfectionism all the time and at any cost. What if that cost is your child’s mental well being?
Expecting too much of your children can drain them and cause depression and childhood anxiety. They need to know that, no matter what the outcome is, they are going to be supported and accepted.
This will make them happy – not awards and trophies and sleepless nights.
Yes, it is important for children to want to achieve (be successful) but they should not feel sad or fearful of your reaction as a parent if they lose once in a while.
Praise the effort put in regardless of the outcome.
BE OPTIMISTIC FOR THEM
Teaching your child to be optimistic and to see the positive in a situation is important. It helps them to navigate life with a whole different outlook. They are more likely to feel gratitude and show it than children who are taught to be pessimistic.
Life happens, but the way we respond to it is the way our children will respond to it – so always be mindful of the words you are putting out there and help them see the brighter side of life rather than just doom and gloom.
What makes a child happy?
The above few pointers should be able to get you on the right track to raise happy and successful children, but there is so much more that we can do to help our children navigate the big world out there and be great human beings living their best lives.
Life is not all about the serious stuff – let them play, let them be silly, listen to them, I mean really listen. Let them tell you silly stories and share silliness with them.
When they feel down or upset, do not meet their crazy with your own. Instead try to make them realize you understand their emotions and that you are there for them to lash out, but that sometimes we cannot always have everything we want.
Most of all, love them. Hug them. Squeeze them and tell them that no matter what life throws at them, they have what it takes to conquer it all.
Children deserve to have the best parts of us and they also deserve to be the best version of themselves.
The only way they can do this and have a chance at a successful and happy life is if you allow them to have it and you as the parent do not overthink it and just emulate what you would want for your child in the future.
Happy parenting – you are successful!