5 Tips To Raise Happy Kids In A Not-so-Happy World

In a stressful world, parents would want to see their kids happy and successful as they grow up.

Edward M. Hallowell, M.D., an instructor at Harvard Medical School in Boston, said via Parents.com that well-meaning parents often try to give pleasurable experiences to their kids, but what kids actually need is to learn how to be joyful on their own.

Are you a parent who wants to help your kids be happy? Here are five tips to help raise happy kids.

Be a happy parent

According to TIME, studies have found that "parental depression" causes less effective parenting.

"Extensive research has established a substantial link between mothers who feel depressed and negative outcomes in their children, such as acting out and other behavior problems. Parental depression actually seems to cause behavioral problems in kids; it also makes our parenting less effective," the article quoted from the book "Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents" by Christine Carter.

To do that, TIME suggests taking some time out with family and friends to have fun and laugh.

Relationships

Dr. Hallowell said that a child's security comes from feeling rooted. Unconditional love from both parents, and close ties with extended family such as grandparents, will benefit them.

According to Carter's book:

"Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who were trained to provide compassionate, unconditional positive regard for other MS sufferers through monthly fifteen-minute telephone calls "showed pronounced improvement in self-confidence, self-esteem, depression, and role functioning" over two years. These helpers were especially protected against depression and anxiety."

Play

Katie Hurley, author of "The Happy Kid Handbook: How to Raise Joyful Children in a Stressful World," told Yahoo Parenting that unstructured play is something that a child needs.

"Kids need unstructured time to just be home, undirected," she said, adding that it would be helpful to have some kid-friendly space in the home where the kids can just play and be free to mess things up.

Practice and Mastery

Dr. Hallowell said that kids are likely to do something again and again when they find out that they're good at it. Parents are encouraged to give their kids a little push to try something out. Who knows, they just might be good at something they're hesitant to try.

Additionally, having mastery over something gives kids a sense of achievement, and develops a "can-do" attitude, said Dr. Hallowell. When kids acquire new skills, they're motivated to do even more.

Recognition

Approval and support for a job well done will bring benefits. Dr. Hallowell said that when kids see that what they do affects others, they are likely to show best behavior, and will ultimately feel good about themselves.