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How Parents Can Raise Happy Kids: 3 Practical Tips

Below are are 3 practical tips to help you raise happy kids – and boost your children’s happiness  – in the form of 3 powerful phrases.

If you’re a parent reading this, then you (just like me!) are concerned about raising your kids to be happy – no matter the challenges your children might face.

I recommend saying these 3 phrases below – regularly – to your kids!

Each of these phrases represent yet another way to say “I love you” to your child – without actually uttering those 3 words.

3 Phrases Parents Should Say Regularly To Raise Happy KidsHow Parents Can Raise Resilient and Happy Kids: 6 Tips

Sprinkle these phrases (below) into your child’s life and you will help your kid to feel confident, supported and loved.

Your mission:

Allow your child to fully absorb these loving, happy words – so they become part of their daily inner voice.

1. “Never give up.”

Actually, when I say these words to my son, I say them three times in a row, in a silly, exaggerated, Winston-Churchill-type voice: “Never give up! Never give up! Never give up!”

This makes Ari giggle. And laugher is a great stress reliever – further helping him to keep moving forward.

Recently, however, I realized these words need an important addendum.

My son and I were putting together a Spiderman puzzle. Ari kept trying to squeeze the wrong puzzle piece into an empty puzzle space – while repeating: “Never give up! Never give up! Never give up!”

How Parents Can Raise Resilient and Happy Kids: 6 TipsI corrected him by saying: “Never give up! Never give up! Never give up! Unless of course you’re doing something which might be wrong – then you need to stop, think and come up with a new strategy!”

“A new strategy?” he asked.

 “Yes,” I said, “If you keep doing what you’re doing – you’ll keep getting what you’re getting. If nothing changes, nothing changes. So… you need to look for a new way of doing it – a new strategy – to get new results.”

Ari now recognizes the importance of never giving up – while also being open to seeking new strategies.

How this reminder helps kids to be happy…

The other day my son was trying to use chopsticks and struggling.

“I guess I need a new strategy – huh, mom?” Ari asked with a smile.

“Yep!” I said.

Ari re-jiggled the chopsticks in his hand – and tried again! He was immediately rewarded with a mouthful of steamed chicken dumpling – followed by a huge proud smile from me!

“Good for you – for trying a new strategy!” I told him – reinforcing his efforts.

2. “Practice is how we learn.”

I say this phrase to Ari particularly when he is attempting to master something new. It reminds Ari to stop being upset at himself for slip ups and downfalls.

How Parents Can Raise Resilient and Happy Kids: 6 Tips

I like to say this phrase not only during a challenging activity – but also before – as a warmly worded warm up.

How these words help kids be happy…

Our family has started dancing to WII U’s “Just Dance” game! Some dance steps are super tough. Every time we find it tough to keep up – and are tempted to give up – I yell out: “Yo! Practice is how we learn!”

Now when I pull out the Wii U disc to dance, my son yells out “Practice is how we learn!” even before we start boogie-ing down!

3. “Every expert started as a beginner – just like you.”

How Parents Can Raise Resilient and Happy Kids: 6 Tips

I feel it’s essential to remind Ari that people who are highly awesome at something didn’t originally start off highly awesome.

Why this reminder helps kids be happy…

I want my son to grow up knowing that it’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to fail. And it’s okay to struggle.

What’s not okay is for my son to think that mistakes, failure and struggle are permanent states of being!

I want my son to view mistakes simply as a bridge you need to keep traveling across to get yourself to “The Land of Highly Awesome.”

I want my son to grow up knowing that persistence, and patience and effort are each far more important than perfection.

Think happier – whether you’re a kid or adult

I explore more ways to train your brain to think happier in my bestselling book, THINK HAPPY!

Whether you’re feeling stressed, need motivation, dealing with haters, or struggling  with a challenge or crisis, THINK HAPPY will help you to move forward with optimism and resilience.

It’s the perfect gift for someone you want to cheer on or cheer up – including yourself!

P.S. Before you zip off to your next Internet pit stop, check out these 2 game changers below - that could dramatically upscale your life.

1. Check Out My Book On Enjoying A Well-Lived Life: It’s called "Your To Die For Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret Before Your Time Runs Out." Think of it as your life’s manual to cranking up the volume on joy, meaning, and connection. Learn more here.

2. Life Review Therapy - What if you could get a clear picture of where you are versus where you want to be, and find out exactly why you’re not there yet? That’s what Life Review Therapy is all about.. If you’re serious about transforming your life, let’s talk. Book a FREE consult call here.

Think happier. Think calmer.

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