A Psychologist Offers 5 Strategies for Cultivating a Happier Child

Parents and children often have divergent views on what constitutes their happiest moments together, as revealed by a February study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies. The research highlights a tendency among parents to either overestimate or underestimate their children’s happiness levels, leading to discrepancies in identifying the happiest episodes spent together.

This disparity in perspective between parents and children regarding a child’s happiness primarily arises due to two factors:

1. Positivity bias: Parents tend to overestimate their children’s happiness while downplaying any negative emotions they may be experiencing.
2. Egocentric bias: Parents judge their children’s happiness levels based on their own feelings during shared memories, resulting in skewed perceptions of a child’s individual experience.

Parents’ overly positive perceptions of their children’s lives can hinder their understanding of moments that genuinely contribute to their children’s happiness. To foster a happier bond, it is crucial for parents to develop a deeper understanding of their children’s inner desires and experiences in a more objective manner.

Here are five strategies, based on the study, to engage with children and cultivate genuine happiness:

1. Embrace Outdoor Experiences: Encourage outdoor activities, such as spending time in nature, going on holidays, or exploring new places, as they are associated with higher levels of happiness in children. These experiences provide a break from daily routines and allow children to enjoy quality time with their parents without distractions.
2. Engage In Shared Activities: Participate in activities together, such as cooking, doing household chores, or creating art, to strengthen the parent-child relationship. Shared activities promote closeness and offer opportunities for parents to pass on important knowledge and values while spending quality time with their children.
3. Create Playful Moments: Incorporate playful interactions into daily routines, including playing board games, engaging in physical activities, or sharing playful contact like tickling. Playtime fosters emotional expression, positive relationships, and psychological development in children.
4. Be Openly Affectionate: Show emotional and physical affection to cement parent-child bonds and provide a sense of warmth and safety to children. Emotional support, intimacy, and physical contact, such as cuddles or hugs, contribute significantly to children’s happiness and well-being.
5. Surprise Them With Gifts: While not as essential as shared experiences, thoughtful gifts can also contribute to children’s happiness. However, parents should be mindful that material gifts are less significant than affectionate interactions and shared activities in fostering genuine happiness in children.

Understanding a child’s unique needs and preferences, and investing in meaningful experiences with them, is crucial for nurturing a happier and more fulfilling parent-child relationship.

_{Repurposed article originally published in the Forbes}