As grandparents, we love it when our grands eat their fruits and vegetables, but we like it even more when they show us smiley faces. More than anything else, we want our grandchildren to be happy. The experts disagree about what makes kids happy. Is it learning to accomplish things on one's own or having a family to rely on? Doing fun things or helping others? What do you think is key in raising happy kids? Leave a comment below.
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Well it is NOT Toddlers in Tiaras. Yikes!
Grannie Annie, I agree!
I would think having a happy, laugh-filled home, with occasional, managed, if heated arguments, and taking cues from the kids rather than forcing them to fit a plan made before they were born would be a good start.
A home with loving parents, a commitment to respect for all family members, an atmosphere of trust and an emphasis on doing your best (as opposed to being the best).
My kids use to love watching TV, but now they are into video games. That makes them happy, but we limit how long they can play. We don’t want them sitting on the sofa all day and have their brain turn into mush.
Kids are people. They are individuals just like the rest of us. What makes one kid happy doesn’t make another kid happy. You have to know your child to determine what makes him or her happy and you’ll have to strike the right balance between providing support and raising someone who will be independent. It’s definitely a difficult challenge, but it’s one you must accept as a parent (and sometimes even as a grandparent).
LOVE the photo!!
As for the key to raising a happy child — all of the above comments are excellent. I don’t think there is any one right way. We just surround them with love and security and do the best we can. I do think it is important to expose them to as many different things as you can — but take a cue from them as to whether they are interested or not.
I think the key is open communication, Encourage independence strengthened by interdependence and be there for them no matter what supporting your children and grandchildren through all of life’s endeavors they take on.
Great photo! I think a loving family that encourages independence but is always around with love and support. Every family is different, so everyone has go with what works for their family.
Whoa, what a subject. I believe that given the obvious provisions such as good food, adequate shelter and loving care, you can only do one thing more-work toward teaching your child that his/her happiness is his/her personal responsibility. I’ve known happy people raised under circumstances I find deplorable and I’ve known unhappy people that were loved, treasured and their happiness sought from the moment they popped out.
I believe the ability to find your joy wherever you are has a genetic component, and those without it, either choose to daily work at change(often seeking it spiritually), or go around unhappy, making as many others feel their pain as they can manage.
This is so sweet! I was instantly reciprocating the smile.