Discover the Secrets of Raising Happy Kids!

Most parents have asked themselves a question -Am I a good parent, at least a dozen times. Well, I certainly have, guess I have lost count of the number of times 😊 There is this feeling of uncertainty as to whether or not we are raising our kids right or not. There are other times when we know instinctively that the kids seem to be doing well. The purpose of today’s article is to make a few points clear on what helps raise happy kids. By default, parents know what is good for their kids. It’s just the way of nature. You may doubt yourself many times, however, don’t stress out. You know what is best for your kid. Instead of comparing yourself to other parents who seem to be doing the perfect job of raising picture-perfect kids, rely on your instincts and trust your intuition. That should do the trick. So now let us move ahead to see a few pointers to raising happier kids.

Nurture your happiness

Believe me when I say that happy kids come from homes where the parents are happy. The responsibilities of a family will take its toll on each one of you out there. But remember- you need to prioritise your happiness to keep your kids smiling. Being grumpy and complaining all the time about the chores you have to do, the hard work it takes, how little appreciation you get etc is giving out negative vibes to your family. To avoid all this, you take time for some Me time, go enjoy it and come back refreshed. It will make a world of difference to the way kids see you They will even respect you more for the fact that despite all the hard work, you can still be cheerful and merry!

Let them get bored

There is no need to entertain the kids all day long. They need some time to be bored. This is when their creativity takes roots. They explore options to keep themselves interested and you will be surprised to see what fun games or projects they come up with. Yes, the house may get messed up, however, teach yourself to see the creative mind behind the mess. And for sure, make it a point that they need to help clear their mess.

Don’t be the genie in the lamp

 Kids will keep on asking for stuff. It is not your duty to get them everything they want. Smaller wishes lead on to bigger ones and gradually kids get the idea that they can expect their parents to provide for whatever they ask. So curb those unrealistic demands early enough. Do not feel guilty or do not feel that you are a bad parent. This gentle refusal to meet all demands will help them realise the value of money, time and hard work. Also, they will learn the lesson that life comes with not only roses but has a couple of thorns as well. It will do them good, I promise.

Praise your kids for the right stuff

Praising your kids for every little achievement will leave them feeling entitled to appreciation. As they grow up, the world is not always going to keep appreciating them. This may disturb them and leave them upset. So get them ready to face the real world and save the praises for achievement that matter. Your sincere words of encouragement will be more than enough for a lot of small goals achieved. Help them feel that they earned praise. This is a valuable lesson, even if you have to teach them the hard way.

Teach them to value relationships

Kids learn how to value relationships from home. Teach them with your example that family matters.No matter how busy you are, you have to show kids that family is a priority. This will be engraved in their little minds. And this is how they get to value their relationships later on.

Don’t expect perfection every time

Expect kids to make an effort. Don’t stress on getting everything perfectly right. Give them the chance and freedom to make mistakes, realise those mistakes and then work on correcting them.

Teach them Prayer, gratitude and how to apologise

I do not have words to stress this point enough. Kids need to learn how to thank anyone who helps them. There is no social status, money or age involved here. If someone, anyone for that matter, helps them or does them a favour, your kids should be grateful for that, no matter how small it is. Likewise, if they have hurt another person, you should teach them to apologise. Above all, teach them to believe in the Divine strength and offer a prayer each day. This gives them the mental and emotional strength to face their reality.

From a mom’s experience:-

Dear parents, please do read the following tips. Do not compare your kids with their friends, cousins or neighbours. That hurts their self-respect and they feel inferior. Let your kids be responsible for their lives and allow them to make mistakes too. They should be confident to speak openly with their parents. So helping them confide in you is very important. Let them know that it is ok to fail because what counts is getting back on their feet after the fall.

I am sure this article has helped a few of you who are struggling to do the right thing and give the best to your kids. There is no such thing as a perfect family. We all learn through our mistakes and the learning process is what creates those strong bonds between us. Relax, breathe and love with all your heart. Your kids are growing up just fine!

Row, row, row your boat. Gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.
Alice Munro