What brings kids joy?
Written by A. Simon, November 2018, MN USA
©️Minnesota Kid’s Yoga Co., LLC - Blog
Making our kids happy is what being a parent is all about…
“I want my child to be miserable and unhappy.” said no parent ever! In reality, people become parents to have children that not only bring them joy, but gain joy from them! Humans live to find relationships, to love others, and to build a life around the people we call friends/family.
Therefore, why is it that many kids in today’s world are unhappy? Some cam blame it on social media. Some can blame it on drugs/alcohol. Others can blame it on stress and life’s expectations. However, I also think that parents, teachers, and adults in general, are forgetting to simply be, present with their kids!
The article “7 Ways Parents Can Build More Joy in 15 Minutes” written by Psychology Today, expresses concern about parents choosing responsibilities over quality time with their kids. It also gives ampules of ideas on how parents can step back for 15 minutes, and create a loving presence with their child, to help their children find more joy! Some ideas shared included:
Listening and talking before bedtime.
Playing outside before dinner.
Snuggling and resting.
No agenda time .
These ideas are wonderful ways for parents to help instill joy in their kids. However, I think a few more things should be added to the list. Some additional ideas I think you can do, to help bring joy into kids’ lives include the following. (Note: Not all of these things can be done in 15 minutes).
5 Things That Help Bring Kids Joy
Parents reading a story.
When parents take the time to read a picture book with their child, it makes the child feel special. It also helps teach kids proper language and reading skills that they will use in school.
Letting kids play without expectations.
So often, parents push their kids to excel in sports. They put them in camps, or sign them up for private lessons. However, this “play” time within a sport isn’t free-willed and it often puts unneeded stress on a child who wants to please mom/dad.
Parents being silly.
Being a parent is a balance of instilling rules, creating routines, and also being a friend. Parents that forget to be silly or have fun with their kids, miss out on opportunities to build lasting memories that help kids smile and connect with them on personal levels. As a teacher, the moments that I stepped back from my authority role, and started talking with the kids like a friend, the more smiles I got from each child in my class.
Let kids explore new things.
Kids don’t know what they like or don’t like early on in life. So often, parents put kids in things THEY want their child to be good at. For example, hockey, or basketball, or piano. However, when you hinder a child’s choice, or you take away opportunities from them, then they aren’t learning about themselves. Let kids explore LOTS of different activities. You might be surprised what they end of really enjoying and excelling at. For example, yoga is a wonderful thing to let kids try out for themselves. Just because you like or don’t like it, doesn’t mean they will or won’t!
Listen to music together.
I bet you didn’t see this item coming on the list! But honestly, music is one of those things that kids love, and parents can connect with. Finding music that is upbeat, fun, and simple, can make a child smile, and can also create a fun environment for the whole family. Plus, you might even start dancing together which is an added bonus!
In short, help kids find joy in as many was as you can. The more joy you bring to your child’s life, the more they will carry those memories and emotions into adulthood. Research shows that, a happy kid, creates a happy and successful adult.