Happy – feeling or showing pleasure or contentment, having a sense of confidence or satisfaction

All parents have a main goal … to raise happy, healthy children who succeed in life. We know the end goal, but often we don’t know the steps it takes to prepare our children as toddlers to have a positive, joyful mindset that will carry them into adulthood.

Of course, there are the obvious signs of a happy child … smiling, laughing, showing interest, and enjoying time with others. While these are the more apparent ways to tell if your child is happy, there are other signs we normally don’t consider.

Here is a list of 5 important steps you can take to raise happy children who carry positive, optimistic outlooks into adulthood:

1. Strengthen Family Bonds

Studies show that children have less stress and anxiety, as well as improved mental health when they spend quality time with family members. Family makes us who we are; spending time together boosts a child’s confidence, strengthens communication skills, and builds the knowledge that the child is loved and valued. Family brings security, happiness, and unconditional love.

It is important to remember that families come in varying forms; adoptive or foster parents can bond with their children as successfully as biological parents! Family bonding, no matter how the family structure looks, creates strong emotional attachments that grow children into secure, happy adults.

2. Allow Independence

Children are so excited when they accomplish something alone! Dressing themselves, feeding themselves, picking up their own toys … each accomplishment gets a big, “Look Mommy, I did it myself!” Independence builds confidence and self-esteem, which leads to an accomplished, happy child.

Although allowing independence can be difficult for parents because it makes it feel as though they are “letting go”, it is important that parents understand the correlation between growing independence and happiness. Happy children have courage to interact confidently and independently with the people and activities in their world!

3. Develop a consistent sleep schedule

Tired children are irritable, cranky, and fussy … the opposite of happy. Lack of proper sleep affects a child’s behavior and learning. On the other hand, children who get enough sleep have improved mental and physical health. Proper sleep contributes to growth, higher immune systems, and regulated body weight.

Studies show that getting enough sleep makes children twice as likely to report feeling happy! According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the amount of sleep a child needs depends on the age of the child:

• Infants (up to 12 months old), 12-16 hours
• Toddlers (1 to 2 years old), 11-14 hours
• Children (3 to 5 years old), 10-13 hours
• Children (6 to 12 years old), 9-12 hours
• Teenagers (13 to 18 years old), 8-10 hours

Rested children are happy children.

4. Stay physically active

Movement has the same effect on children as it does as adults. As adults, when we exercise, endorphins are released in our brain. These endorphins suppress the hormones that cause our stress and anxiety, which in turn boosts our mood and happiness.

The same goes for our children! When children are physically active, they have fewer mood swings and are better at managing their moods. It can be so easy to get our children physically active by doing activities like playing outside, swimming, or riding bikes. The important thing is to get moving … incorporating movement into your child’s day will be a game changer to your child’s mood!

5. Keep a healthy diet

There is a clear link between children with a healthy diet and children who are happy! There are two reasons:

• The first reason is more obvious. The healthier a child’s diet, the less likely they are to experience emotional problems. High levels of sugar in children can interfere with the neurotransmitters in their brain that regulates their mood. Too much sugar leads to anxiety and depression. On the other hand, according to the British Journal of Health Psychology, eating fruits and vegetables calms a child’s mood, creates more energy, and increases overall happiness!

• The second reason is less obvious. Children who have a eat well and eat a variety of foods will more often eat together with family and friends. When children have a limited palate, they may eat first, then go play as the rest of the family has their meal. Children who eat what is presented have the opportunity to interact with and enjoy others. This point ties us back to our first point … strengthen family bonds. Food pleasure is social; social bonding brings happiness!

Through these 5 steps, we see how easy it can be to raise a happy child! We see that a child who is happy has a strong bond with their family, is taking steps toward independence, gets enough sleep, stays active, and eats well. Happiness is such a rounded emotion; we want our children to not only have happy moments, but have a balanced, happy life! By including these 5 steps, we are ensuring a deep contentment and joyful satisfaction in our children!

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