8 Awesome Tips and Advice to Happy Parenting

Are children truly bundles of joy or does parenthood condemn you to a life of stress and unhappiness? 

In some cultures, it’s believed that you never truly start living until you have kids while others hold that the moment you have children you stop living for yourself and everything becomes about them. A recent study published in the journal Psychological Bulletin suggests that actually, both beliefs are true and false at the time. The reality is more nuanced and it all depends on how we choose to approach parenthood. And the manner in which we view parenthood also affects our children’s happiness and overall well being.

All parents want the same thing for their children where your child grows up to be happy, to love and be loved, follow their dreams and succeed. But how do we make sure that they grow up in a happy environment? Well, experts have come up with guidelines and tips to adopt into your parenting style to make parenthood a happy experience for you and your child. We have compiled some of the most important and proven tips for you today.  

Schedule time to play with your child as often as possible to spend at least 15 minutes uninterrupted hanging out with them. Play is the language a child understands best, let them pick the game, just play along and have fun. This will not only show them, love, it will also boost your child’s self-esteem and help them build a feeling of connectedness with those around them that will last throughout their lives.

Cuddle up with your child and read a book, play a board game or play outside, it’s a great way to bond.

Happy parenting also requires that you give your child room to have a sense of independence. As difficult as this may be, it’s the best way to teach them that it’s okay to make mistakes. Let your child learn that it’s alright to try certain things out a few times before getting it right. This will build their adventure spirit and as they grow older their ability to try new things. Sometimes all you need to do is to stand back and let them do for themselves what they are capable of. Acknowledge their frustrations but allow them to find solutions to their minor problems, this will teach them self-reliance and give you a break every now and then.

Skills are never perfected on a first try, so in order to help a child achieve mastery, you have to let them risk failure. Cheer them on and allow them to experience the thrill of struggling and finally succeeding. This will build their resilience and optimism, two essential traits for a happy life. Parents always want to protect their kids from everything, but that’s not healthy. Leave room for your child to develop decision-making skills and the ability make certain choices under your guidance.

Don’t be the parent that says ‘’yes’’ to everything your child wants. Know when to be a parent and when to be a friend. Even if they don’t want to or get upset with you, teach your child responsibility. Let them know what’s expected of them. Set schedules, rules and boundaries. Time for a nap, dessert after meals, bedtime, chores and so on. Children crave limits, it makes them feel safe and secure. Responsibility gives children a sense of belonging and builds their self-esteem.
 

You may think it’s easier to adopt a single parenting approach for all your children only to find out that what works for one doesn’t necessarily work with the other. 
This is simply because no two children are the same, even identical twins have different temperaments. So get to know your children individually and tailor your parenting style according to your child’s personality.

Happiness studies always hold that feelings of gratitude are linked with emotional well-being. This simply means that grateful people are happy people, they feel more optimistic about life and achieve their goals more than the rest of us. Experts say making thankfulness a habit or a regular ritual will foster positive emotions and can lead to lasting happiness for children and parents alike. So take time daily to show your child how to be grateful for the little things life offers.

Cheer the good stuff your child does, you don’t want to be the parent who points out only the bad stuff. Give praise were appropriate and positive feedback when your child does something nice or helpful. This is a great way to reinforce good behavior and encourage them to keep doing it. Be specific about your praise so they know what behavior is appreciated and can replicate.
But you have to know that overzealous praise will have a negative effect, it does not mean that because your kid scribbles something on a paper they're the next Picasso or add 1 and 2 and they’re the next Einstein. Know when and how to praise your child when it truly matters.  

With all you have going on as a parent, it’s never easy to find the time to put yourself first. But happy parenting needs you to spend time doing the things you like and find fulfilling. Even when you just can't seem to find the time, take 10 minutes and go for a walk, take a bubble bath or watch a movie. Do something that makes you happy, remember that what children need most are happy parents. 

As a parent cut yourself some slack, it’s alright not to have everything figured out, making mistakes does not mean you’re a bad parent. So go easy on yourself, as it’s popularly said children don’t come with an instruction manual. Ask for help from family, friends when you need it.

When someone becomes a new parent we’re always eager to send them congratulatory messages and wishes, that will not only wish them well but also serve as a piece of advice for their new role. Here are some ideas that could inspire your next happy parenting message to a relative or friends.

Even though it’s often said babies don’t come with a user manual, parents can learn a lot from family, friends, and books. A good book can go a long way in helping you figure out the best approach to certain situations and avoid some mistakes. Check out these books we’ve picked out for you as you go on this journey of happy parenting.

This book is by Kim John Payne an M.D who advocates for fewer toys and less TV, less stressful extracurricular activities. The book talks about filtering adult information like the news that children have access to. Simplicity Parenting suggests that parents should bring back a simple lifestyle. It holds that we are too busy, too stressed, and too focused on achievement and not enough on well-being.

In this book, former New York staff writer Senior leads us through the world of modern parenthood with an insightful and relatable. The book is structured around portraits of a group of American families as they go about dinner time, PTA meetings, nap time, and all the familiar day-to-day activities. The author uses sociology and psychology research of the past 50 years to drive his point across. It tackles our expectations as parents and how that affects our children. This is a good book for parents that are trying to find the right balance in raising children.

Alison Gopnik is a professor of both philosophy and psychology at UC Berkeley. In this book, she explores “the new science of child development” and focuses on the parent-child relationship. She compares parenthood to tending a garden. According to her, a gardener has no illusions of control when caring for his garden. A gardener is open and willing to be surprised and lets them grow on their own.

After all is said and done, the concept of happy parenting is all about demonstrating love. The aim is to model how to give and receive love in your interactions with your children so they can replicate. Put love in all your interactions, no matter how old or young your children are. Most parents have a set of beliefs about what constitutes good parenting and their happiness is tied to how well the measure up to this ideal. Examine your beliefs and set aside what’s unrealistic expectations, instead prioritize happy parenting by showing your kids that you value their happiness as well as yours.