The first thing that needs to be said is that kids don’t have to be happy all the time. They need to learn to deal with feelings of sadness, anger, frustration, loss, jealousy, envy, disappointment … all those “negative” emotions we all experience. That’s how they become resilient to the ups and downs of life they will inevitably face. They also need to learn it’s not always all about them; that they are in this life with others who matter as much as they do.
What we want our kids to be is generally happy and grounded in self-confidence and respect for themselves and others, with the ability to feel empathy while still knowing they can ask for and often receive what they want. We all know a generally happy child when we see one.
Of course, for most of us, the automatic answer to the question of what makes children happy would be love, so that’s a given — as long as it’s unconditional. Love is the big one, but then there are everyday little things that can also make a child’s life more comfortable, secure and happy. Here are 10 we think are worth keeping in mind.
1. They eat on time, and they eat well
A no-brainer? Not to everyone. Some people think that eating after school, for example, will “spoil dinner”. And “on time” doesn’t just mean mealtimes. Active little people need snacks in between to refuel their brains and growing bodies. Blood-sugar lows can result in poor concentration and inability to focus and settle, which can have consequences at school.