How to foster happiness in your child

● First and foremost, nurture your own happiness and develop compassion for yourself as a parent. “Good enough” is enough. If you need support, there is no shame and reach out.

● Invest in your relationship with your child no matter their age. Show them how much you love them. Hug them, delight in them, play with them, read to them. Your love means everything to them.

● Honour your child for who they are and don’t try to change them. If possible, refrain from criticising them and try to encourage their uniqueness and strengths instead.

● Reward your child for showing kindness to themselves and others. Help them to see the value of meaningful intrinsic goals as opposed to performance-based extrinsic goals.

● Play is a child’s bread and butter, and is crucial for every aspect of their development. Take time to play with your child, and encourage them to play with others and by themselves.

● If you don’t want your child to be helpless, help... less. As they develop, encourage your child to do more things for themselves and enable adult-free time.

● Setting boundaries and modelling your expectations will help them feel safer with you as their anchor. Limit screen time and encourage healthy routines (ie sleep, exercise, food).

● Talk to your child in an age-appropriate way about sensitive issues (eg sex, puberty, death, violence) and don’t shy away from difficult conversations. Your honesty will pay off.

● Taking your child’s distress seriously and acknowledging their experience as valid for them gives them an experience of being safe as they learn about feelings and builds empathy.

● Give your child opportunities to socialise with peers and with people of all different ages, cultures and backgrounds. Open up their minds to the treasures of the world around them.