Want A Happy Child? Tell Them Jokes.

Every parent you meet wants the same things for their children. Although each Mom and Dad might have a slightly different version of what they see health and success meaning for their kids, most of them will put happiness at the top of the list. Fostering a sunny disposition in children as a pathway to their happiness has been the goal of many learned professionals in the childcare field for years and they’ve come up with some interesting ideas on how to help your little ones live their days on the bright side of life.

One of the first things you’ll need to understand is that while a happy child might very well be born that way and have a smile programmed into their genes because scientists have pinpointed that’s where their temperament comes from, environment plays a big role. In fact, experts like Bob Murray, PhD, author of Raising an Optimistic Child: A Proven Plan for Depression-Proofing Young Children — for Life (McGraw-Hill) believe genes that predispose your offspring to depression can in fact be switched off like a light with an optimistic, happy home.

Backing Off

That doesn’t necessarily mean you need to coddle your child and give them everything they want so they’re happy in only the short term. You need to grasp the idea you’re not responsible for your child’s emotions and letting them feel anger, frustration and even sadness sets them up for some sobering realizations when they hit adolescence and adulthood. The real gift from any parent isn’t always a new Teddy Bear to comfort them when the tears start to flow but backing off to let them develop the coping skills and resiliency they’ll need to bounce back from life’s dips and valleys.

However, you don’t need to be a stick in the mud and approach the whole process with a furrowed brow either. Scientists have found a direct link between joking with your children and their success through all aspects of their lives. When you lighten up, goof around and pretend with them when they are young, your children learn how to think creatively, manage stress and even make friends.

Mental Health

Don’t forget that looking after your mental health is a big factor in how you shape your child’s happiness. Studies have shown that Moms who struggle with depression often let that spill over in how they treat their children and, in turn, that situation can be a factor that contributes to a toddler’s stress. The point here is if you suffer from depression or any other kind of mental illness, get the help you need for both your sakes.

Finally, remember that relaxing and enjoying the parenting ride yourself pays off for your children as well. Moms and Dads who expect to be perfect parents get stressed out by the impossible high benchmarks they’ve set and they need to remember that kind of negative nervous energy transfers down to their children.

Read more info like this at All My Children.
Author: Rob Starr