5 Scientifically Proven Tips for Happier kids
What do you want in life for your children? Want them to make a lot of money? Become famous? Write the Great American Novel?
Probably not. Well, sure, maybe … in the abstract.
But in my experience, when parents are asked this question they say simply some version of, “I want them to be happy.”
Happy.
Take a look at 10 scientifically proven tips to have happier kids:
1. Make Sure They Have Plenty of Time for Play
Sure, my boys have their sports, homework, and other extracurricular activities. But they are kids, and I try to remember that their work is really to play. So they have time every day, with few exceptions, to get down to the business of PLAY.
2. Praise Hard Work
All play and now work makes Jack a … wait. That’s not how it goes!
When my boys put in effort in a project, I try to remember to praise the work they put into the task. I want them to learn that their efforts are appreciated, even when the outcomes aren’t perfect.
3. Instill Traditions
Family dinners (or breakfast!), monthly movies, ornaments every Christmas or special birthday rituals … constancy means safety to kids, and safety means happiness. It’s as simple as that!
4. Let Them Do Their Own Homework
I have a friend who always looked over her oldest daughter’s homework and corrected any mistakes, helped her with projects, made sure everything was perfect. She did this out of love … but what she learned is that she was inadvertently telling her daughter that she wasn’t capable of completing these tasks on her own when her daughter hit a level she had to handle herself.
5. Teach Them That Their “Negative” Emotions Are Healthy
Nobody likes to be angry, or sad, or scared. These feelings … well, they FEEL bad. But they are part of being a human, and learning that they are normal and going to happen is important for kids to understand. One great way to explain this to kids is when you are experiencing some of those emotions yourself, “See? Mom can be nervous about things, too! It’s just part of life!”
Probably not. Well, sure, maybe … in the abstract.
But in my experience, when parents are asked this question they say simply some version of, “I want them to be happy.”
Happy.
Take a look at 10 scientifically proven tips to have happier kids:
1. Make Sure They Have Plenty of Time for Play
Sure, my boys have their sports, homework, and other extracurricular activities. But they are kids, and I try to remember that their work is really to play. So they have time every day, with few exceptions, to get down to the business of PLAY.
2. Praise Hard Work
All play and now work makes Jack a … wait. That’s not how it goes!
When my boys put in effort in a project, I try to remember to praise the work they put into the task. I want them to learn that their efforts are appreciated, even when the outcomes aren’t perfect.
3. Instill Traditions
Family dinners (or breakfast!), monthly movies, ornaments every Christmas or special birthday rituals … constancy means safety to kids, and safety means happiness. It’s as simple as that!
4. Let Them Do Their Own Homework
I have a friend who always looked over her oldest daughter’s homework and corrected any mistakes, helped her with projects, made sure everything was perfect. She did this out of love … but what she learned is that she was inadvertently telling her daughter that she wasn’t capable of completing these tasks on her own when her daughter hit a level she had to handle herself.
5. Teach Them That Their “Negative” Emotions Are Healthy
Nobody likes to be angry, or sad, or scared. These feelings … well, they FEEL bad. But they are part of being a human, and learning that they are normal and going to happen is important for kids to understand. One great way to explain this to kids is when you are experiencing some of those emotions yourself, “See? Mom can be nervous about things, too! It’s just part of life!”
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