How to Raise Happy Kids and Enjoy the Adventure
By Sandy Schroeder
Brand new parents are a pretty serious group. When my first child was born I issued everybody masks to wear when coming to see him. Over the years the masks disappeared, and so did a lot of my other notions. Gradually I learned to just enjoy them every day. Here are a few tips on how that might work from bakadesuyo.com.
Be Thankful for What You Have
Look around and count your blessings, and tell everyone around you how you feel. Sometimes we assume everyone knows how we feel, but it never hurts to repeat it. At dinner, ask your kids what they are thankful for. Be prepared to be surprised. A couple that I know use a whiteboard in their bathroom to write what they are thankful for about each other. They say their relationship has deepened since they started the practice.
Do What You Are Good at Often
If you love to cook, dance, sew, teach, or paint, stay with it. It may not make you rich or famous, but it may make you happy if you get to do what you enjoy every day. Let your “signature strengths” lead the way and enjoy the journey.
Spend Your Time with People You Enjoy
Gravitate to the people that you like and consider it time well spent. Make the effort to bring friends, family and new acquaintances together for evening suppers, and weekend parties whenever you can. The happiest moments of my childhood were spent at my grandparents’ house. Everyone called them Pop and Mom, and there was never a dull moment. Both of my grandparents treasured their kids and grandkids and the door was always open.
Money Helps, But Other Things Add Up to More
Some of the happiest people that I have known were comfortable, but not wealthy. They enjoyed their work, their kids, and their homes, and they never took themselves too seriously. There was always a lot of good food and memorable times to be shared. If I learned anything from them it was to live in the moment and value what you have.
Find Out How Good It Feels to Give
Birthdays and holidays always abound with gifts, but some of the best moments that I have ever experienced came when my kids and I reached out to help others. We sang carols at homes for seniors, delivered cookies to shut-in neighbors, and helped out at the local library. We also helped marine centers who rescued seals and sea lions. I will always remember one seal in particular. The workers named him Cranberry because they rescued him on Thanksgiving. He was a ham, happily posing for pictures and lapping up our attention. My kids still talk about the time they helped Cranberry. Everybody needs a Cranberry or two to know how great giving can be.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lakewood, Calif.