Raising Happy Kids Blog Series

I live with two incredibly happy kids.

No, really, they are remarkably happy. Acquaintances unbelievingly point out their temperaments on a regular basis like it should be news to me, and I’m convinced they are either waiting for a meltdown, or they think that I just got very lucky. The most frequent reaction is the question, “Is she always this happy?” And the answer for both girls is, for the most part, yes.

But no one can really believe me until they spend regular amounts of time around one or both of the girls. With time comes disorientation, moments of bliss, back to confusion, followed by the inevitable accusation, “She really IS like this all the time…!?” Often accompanied by an accusing look in the eye and an unwavering determination to get answers.

It’s easy to smile and nod when someone first picks up on the girls, but the second reaction is harder to respond to. I often stumble to put together a response when someone gets pushy for answers. Why they are the way they are is not an easy question to answer. I suppose there is a little bit of personality, environment and parenting involved.

To be honest, I’m positive that it’s not the girls’ level of happiness that is striking. There are a lot of kids that are generally always happy. I believe the difference is their ability to easily bounce back from things, to regulate their emotions with coping skills, to entertain themselves for unreasonable amounts of time, their ability to self-soothe, etc. Everything just rolls off them and they keep on smiling.

They are very resilient children and resiliency= happy kid magic.

So with that background, I’ve had a few people in the last couple of years ask me to write about raising happy children. The idea is exciting but also humbling. As much as I love to toot my own horn, I know that their happiness is not wholly a result of our parenting or my clinical training. What I can say is that we are very intentional parents and listen carefully to our children who teach us constantly about what they need from us.

A few months ago I started writing. One of the girls’ biggest fans is about to start a family and demands information, and I love the idea of being able to pass on some tips to my sisters as they have children. A funny side note that I want to point out is that I am CONSTANTLY pitching book ideas to my inner circles, with no follow through. But this time around I’m taking an idea seriously because I believe in this Raising Happy Kids project of mine. I’m not sure if it will result in a book; I hope so, but in the meantime I thought it would be fun to post bits and pieces here on Mae Mae Daily in a parenting series.

Please keep in mind: my intention is not to come across preachy, only to provide a place to support one another in this parenthood thing. We all have different circumstances and parenting styles, but if you happen to read something here that inspires you and in turn, creates a little bit more peace in your family than I will be one happy blogger.

Please stay tuned. First post coming soon!