Parents always want what’s best for their kids. We all want them to be successful and achieve their goals without having to go through struggles we faced. Kids have different needs and while some have a tendency to be happy, others are just not as motivated. Giving your kids healthy and happy childhood experiences can set them up for success in the future. However, the question of how to raise a happy child is still a challenge for a few parents.
Raising happy and motivated children is not just about giving immediate gratification or momentary pleasure. It takes a lot of effort and patience. It is a fact that happy kids develop a certain skill set that lets them experience long-term happiness.
As a parent, what can you do to create an environment at home where your child’s happiness prospers? By adopting healthy and lifelong habits, you can help your kids develop these skills. Here are the top three strategies to enhance and strengthen your child’s capability to experience happiness.
Nurture your own happiness
Controlling your child’s happiness may be a difficult thing to do, but you can always be responsible for your own happiness. Our moods matter, especially knowing that kids learn by example and they absorb everything from adults. Whatever behavior or mood you have, they will replicate it. Happy parents equal happy kids. Children of depressed parents are likely to suffer from depression growing up. One of the best ways you can help improve your child’s emotional well-being is to focus on yours. Take some time out for relaxation and romance. Nurture and foster a good relationship with your spouse. A child’s happiness will naturally follow if their parents have a committed and healthy relationship.
Practice habitual gratitude
Integrating gratitude into your daily lives can help develop children into healthier and happier people. Happiness has been consistently linked with gratitude and emotional well-being. Adults who keep a daily or weekly gratitude journal are more optimistic, more likely to achieve their goals, and feel better about their life in general. It may be unrealistic to ask your child to keep a gratitude journal, but you can ask each family member to take turns sharing what they are thankful for. This can be done daily either before or during a family meal. Making it a family habit will help your kids learn to look for things they are thankful for every day. However, keep in mind that “forcing a thank you” and genuinely meaning it are two different things.
Give real responsibilities or assign chores
Another way how to raise a happy child is to give them responsibilities. Most parents do not realize how assigning chores is a key factor in helping children attain life-long happiness and success.
Happiness also depends largely on the feeling that what we do is important and appreciated by others. There is a fear of exclusion if we do not feel that sense of appreciation and importance. Humans have the innate feeling to be wanted and needed. Conveying to your children at an early age that they are making a contribution to the family will help develop a sense of self-worth and extreme happiness. Children who do chores at home feel like they’re being trusted to do important tasks. They also feel a great sense of connection towards their families, which can eventually make them become mentally strong when faced with challenges in life. Chores are also great teachers for kids on a variety of life’s lessons, such as community service and responsibility. Assign chores regularly and expect that your kids will have them done. Show some acknowledgment with regard to the contribution they are making. Let them know that even if they are still young, they are capable of making a difference. Having your child learn about these life skills will lead them to happier adult life.
Raising happy kids is not something that is achieved overnight. In fact, kids do not need to be happy 100% of the time. They also need to feel other uncomfortable feelings like fear, anger, sadness, frustration, or disappointment. When they feel such emotions, you do not need to cheer them up or take action. Instead, coach them through it and guide them to look for ways to comfort themselves. Kids must also learn how to cope with such uncomfortable emotions.
The best way to raise a happy child is to create a loving and healthy environment for them. Kids who are aware that they are cared for and loved are most likely to succeed.
Learn more on how to help your child achieve long-lasting happiness and succeed in life. Visit Early Childhood University in Michigan.