Is happiness important to you?
If you are like the vast majority of parents, you would say "yes".
And even more, it is likely that when asked "What is most important to you for your children as they grow up?" you would say "Happiness"
Albert Einstein said:
"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."
Do we focus on that when we raise our kids? Do you?We often are running around and are so busy, that truly focusing on teaching our children and teens to be happy, to do what they love, falls short. Even when we do, it can be while we urge them to "get ready quickly, we're late" as we drive them to their club or lessons for something they enjoy.
As parents, being tired, running around and feeling like you are being lived, "scheduled to extinction" as an individual isn't rare. If you recognize that, you are probably not taking enough time to do what YOU love, for your happiness either.
We are our children's primary teacher and role model. Being happy, taking time for balance, for joy combined with a dedicated effort to excel at what you love. Do you do that? There are simple ways to create more time, more joy in your day we often forget as we run around.
1. Stop yourself for a second and take a deep breath.
Whatever you will do next, think about it in this way: "I am going to do this, because it is important to me. I will do it with love for myself and my life." If you can't say that, you may want to reconsider doing what you thought you were going to do. Or for the next time you are planning to. Take your life and yourself seriously. Live with love and a sense of self driven direction. When breathing that into anything you do, even out of duty, it will give more happiness and joy. For you as well as for others.
2. When you are running around, simply slow down to a step slower, a bit less rushed.
It will not take more time and if it would, probably a minute. Feeling more relaxed, you will enjoy it more and it will decrease moments of potential conflicts with your kids. I often find that when I run to get somewhere, I am the only one who thought "that one minute" was important and my increased stress became a waste of my own energy. And if it involves getting our daughter somewhere, I am nicer to her too, when I relax a little!
3. When you slow down that little bit, you can have more eye for what is around you.
For the smile you would miss, for the question your child asks, the frown you would have overlooked. That little bit of extra space can create moments of great joy, if you let it. And then that one minute becomes really important.
Think about it! Didn't Albert Einstein create a happy productive life?
Love yourself a little and be a happier role model for your children.
Wouter van der Hall is the author of The Parent Program and a Parent and Happiness Coach You can reach Wouter at wouter@theparentprogram.com or 1 888 379 4222 (USA/Canada) http://www.theparentprogram.com will give you easy access to positive parenting attitudes, tools and skills.
The Parent Program is a 15 minute a day email/web based parenting program. You will feel more relaxed, confident and competent as you deal with parenting issues. 24/7 accessible at home and anywhere, so in your time, pace and comfort. To help you become the great parent you can be.
Don’t Buy That Golf Teaching Aid Until You Know - Why You Should Consult Your Pro
To get that edge, you are likely tempted when an infomercial comes on offering a cure all golf teaching aid. You slice the ball and they say it will f...
Are Your Kids Really Happy?
Are your kids happy? Do they have enough time to do things that they really enjoy? What do they really enjoy doing?Many of us adults are so busy copin...
Free Teens USA - Abstinence Is Safe Sex
In the public school systems to day, there is still a rumbling going on about how to teach a sexual education class. Do you just teach about how to be...
Teach Children The Habit Of Reading
Teach them how to readReading begins in our children's ears. If they are listening to us, then the can easily learn how to read. Reading and listeni...
Conscious Children Equal Wiser Beings
The world lacks human beings conscious of three aspects: 1) the importance of existing, 2) the importance of valuing the preservation of knowledge and...
Giving Undivided Attention is Essential to Being a Good Parent
You may have heard quite a bit about giving your child undivided attention. What exactly does that mean? Generally undivided attention means that you ...
Respect Should Be Instilled In Children
I was reading an article by Denise Witmer about reasons why teens need fair and firm discipline. One of the reasons for it teaches our children to res...
Good Parenting - Why Discipline and Boundaries Are Very Important
Bad parenting practices are responsible for all the problems with children and teenagers today so say some of today's press. They suggest that it's t...
Clocks and Calendars - Teaching Children the Concept of Time
Elementary school teachers invest a lot of effort into teaching students about the concept of time. Think of all there is to learn about time - second...
After School Activities And Burnout
For millions of parents around the world, the day does not end with the school bell. There are still pictures to be painted, songs to be sung and game...
Confidence Building for School and Beyond
How can I help build my child's confidence?As your children go through school, they are going to need confidence to make friends and try new things. I...
Parenting Secrets - 9 Tips To Become A Good Parent
If you are a parent then you know how much happiness children can give you. But you also aware of the tough times and situations you had to go through...
How Effective is Our Sunday School Teaching?
A recent survey which showed very little difference in moral actions between youth and young adults who attend church and those who do not, raises the...
Teaching With Toy Chests
Teaching kids to keep their rooms tidy is made easy with a toy chest. The beautiful wooden chests come in attractive designs and colors. They will lov...
Making A Case For Cell Phones For Children
You may have heard a lot about the benefits that cell phones for children can provide. Alternatively, you may think that getting children cell phones...
