When it comes to the concern of “how to raise happy kids” parents think the solution is simple: give them toys, an annual trip to Disneyland, and a tub of chocolate ice cream, and they’ll be happy. However, that’s totally untrue!
As Jesse Jackson, the American civil rights activist and politician, said, “Your children need your presence more than your presents.” Your kids need your attention, care, support, and unconditional love to grow happy.
After accessing different stats and experts’ opinions, I’ve collected some valuable steps you can practice to raise a happy child.
How to Raise Happy Kids? 5 Tips to Give Them Great Childhood
Making kids happy is easy if you put the basics right. Following are some tips to do so:
1. Express Love and Affection
You surely love your kids already, but sometimes, kids need to hear clear words of affirmation from your side.
Listen to their problems. You might find them insignificant, but they are the world’s size for kids. Avoid using screens when talking to them because it affects their emotional intelligence.
Showing physical affection, playing with them, taking them to picnics, reading them bedtime stories, and watching a film together are all forms of love you should express to them. That’s the stuff that makes kids happy.
According to the research, expressing love to kids strengthens their character and gives them confidence.
2. Help Them Develop a Growth Mindset
You make your kids more resilient by actively teaching them to embrace mistakes and move forward.
According to the Pew Research Center, anxiety and depression in teens are increasing at an alarming level. When you teach them the growth mindset, they tend to become much less anxious teens later in life.
Rather than fixating on their mistakes and taking criticism on their ego, they assess themselves and make adjustments for the better.
3. Build Their Healthy Routine
They always want to eat junk, stay up all night, and play on their iPads. But, as a parent, you very well know how much this unbalanced lifestyle can harm their personal development.
So, you intentionally set their routine for the entire day. Following are some examples you can take as a guide to raising happy boys and girls:
- Healthy eating habits: Surely, they won’t listen to you at first, but you have to actively tell them the importance of avoiding junk and eating healthy. Indulge them with you during meal prep to familiarize them with veggies, fruits, and lentils.
- Limit screen time: A sedentary lifestyle is taking a toll on kids’ mental health. Encourage them to play outside in the sun and actively make friends offline.
- Teach them something new every day: Teach them to swim, sing, read, and play board games to boost their confidence.
According to the studies, babies with regular daily routines tend to grow up with better thinking and learning skills.
4. Support Their Passion to Grow a Successful and Happy Child
Children love to explore the world on their own. Trying out everything is what makes kids happy.
As a supportive mother, you should observe your kids closely to understand their likes and dislikes. Introduce your child to a wide range of activities, such as sports, arts, music, or science. This exposure allows them to explore different interests and discover what resonates with them.
Instead of shutting down your child’s interests, celebrate their small victories. Kids who like to do things independently still need your approval to build confidence and understand their worth. Your encouragement helps shape how they see themselves.
“It is the parents, through their words and actions, who create the foundation for a child’s sense of self.” The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids By Dr. Jenn Berman
5. Focus on Your Happiness as Well
According to the survey conducted in 2022 by The Ohio State University, 66% of parents reported being burned out. And it is imposing adverse effects on their household.
Hence, it is necessary to care for yourself as well. Only a satisfied and happy parent, especially a mom, can make a child happy. Mom’s happiness = House’s harmony!
So, How To Raise a Successful and Happy Child? It’s Simple!
As society becomes more complex, parenting becomes tougher. Handling kids and keeping them happy can be challenging at times. But when you start considering them as individuals with genuine needs, emotions, and minds, you can handle them.
Teach your kids how to understand their own emotions and connect with others. Show them why it’s important to take breaks from screens and build healthy habits. And remember—be patient and kind, even when their moods are all over the place