4 Things To Learn From Happy Children
Adults often think that children are the ones who should be learning from their parents, that happy children are eternal students of life and that they’re placed in the hands of society to either become successful or not. Although this is partially true, the reality is that parents have a lot to learn from their kids, so much in fact that they may be surprised.
Happy children can teach important lessons to parents who pay attention to how these little ones live their lives and see the way that their world develops. Parenting style is very important and on occasion parents fail to notice that their participation in the happiness of their child may not be enough. Parenting should be authoritative, not authoritarian.
Good family values never go out of style and it is necessary to understand the intrinsic value that children have and the respect they have for life in all of its forms. Families can choose simple, low-cost activities to enjoy together and they will notice that the simpler the activity, the happier their kids will be. The happiest kids have the most to teach you.
4 Things to Learn from Happy Children
1. Being a Good Parent is Enough
You don’t have to be the best mom or the best dad for your kids to be happy. You only need to strive to be a good father or mother, and your kids will pick up on that. It’s necessary to have a realistic perspective on fatherhood and motherhood in order to understand your children, to respect them and yourself. You must fight this daily reality, but you also need to become more tolerant of your own imperfections. The secret is to enjoy being a mom and dad.
2. You Don’t Have to Be the Best
Children don’t have to be the best and neither do their parents. Being the best doesn’t mean that you’re more important. There is no need to measure oneself as a parent or compare oneself as a child. Successes and failures of children or parents are common, but how they are perceived is a direct reflection of the parenting style, and of the strengths and weaknesses of each one.
Even though parents sincerely want the best for their children, there is no need for this desire to become an obsessive need. Loving your children just as they are is what is best for everyone. Children (and adults) should be themselves and learn that mistakes and failures in many cases, are the best teacher. Support, love, guidance and compassion are what children need.
3. Happy Parents Raise Happy Children
Parents who manage to maintain the balance between life, family and work will be able to feel happier and so will their kids, because they will be able to enjoy quality time together with their parents. It’s not easy, but if you want to achieve it, it’s not impossible, although some things must be prioritized over others, of course… Family is what’s really important in life.
Working hard at your job is important, but having a routine in order to be able to organize your life and have quality time with your kids is equally (or more) important. You are indispensable in your kids’ lives. Conversely, no one is indispensable in the workplace. No one will remember you for being the last to leave the office, so prioritize your work time less, frugality more, and enjoy more quality time for your kids and for you. It’s worth it!
4. Independence is the Best Route
Teaching independence to children is crucial for their development and also their happiness. Independence helps children to become self-sufficient adults. Also, parents who have self-sufficient children realize what they themselves are capable of and don’t feel as afraid of parenting. They trust more in their child’s possibilities as they grow up.
Children need responsibilities that are appropriate for their age and if you give them that, they will teach you all that they are capable of doing. Little by little you’ll have to give them more freedom in order for them to show you even more of their abilities. Teach them enough skills to navigate the world and the society in which they happen to live and give them the opportunity to demonstrate that yes, they can.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Hogg, T. (2005). El secreto de educar niños felices y seguros. Editorial Norma.
- Piñeiro, B. (2016). Educando niños felices. XinXii.
- Greenspan, S. I. (2009). Great kids. Niños felices: cómo enseñar a tu hijo las diez cualidades esenciales para alcanzar una vida feliz (No. Sirsi) i9788449321931).