Happy Childhood

Can a happy childhood be caught in a bottle and reserved for future years? Unfortunately not! However, parents can endeavor to build a bank of happy memories in their children’s minds. These memories will remain into adulthood and provide a source of strength throughout your child’s life. Here are some essential ingredients of a happy childhood:

• Laughter – I love to hear my children giggle. I’m sure it is the most beautiful sound in the world and it never fails to make me smile! A quote by Heather King says, “Children laugh an average of three hundred or more times a day; adults laugh an average of five times a day. We have a lot of catching up to do.” The best memories are made when you laugh with your child.
• Listen – When you take time to really listen to your child with your ears AND with your heart, you validate who your child is and send the message that he is your priority.
• Time – Children’s concept of time differs from what we find in our scheduled and driven diaries. Make opportunities to spend time with your child with no agenda and simply follow his lead to whatever he is interested in. Be fully engaged during these times and focus on his interests. Don’t fill your child’s day to capacity with schedules, appointments and activities. Children need plenty of downtime to explore and experience the world on their own time.
• Routine and ritual – Children thrive on familiarity – it makes them feel secure and grounded. You ought to have a basic daily routine in place for events like meal times, bath times and bed times.
• Sharing stories – Telling stories is an age old tradition wherein children are socialized into a culture or society. Never underestimate the power of reading a story aloud to your child. Stories shape our lives and hearts and can provide the impetus for change and growth.
• Being needed – A child who is included in the daily running of the household and is entrusted with simple chores, feels needed and useful. Choose a simple chore like setting the spoons and forks on the table for your toddler to do and don’t forget to praise his efforts.                                                                                                                                     

One of the hardest lessons that I try to teach my children is that happiness is ultimately a choice and that the first step to experiencing happiness is to be thankful. Show your toddler how to be appreciative and you will soon see him appreciating the little things that make his childhood magical.