8 Essential Things to tell your children for a Happy Life

1. TRY IT!

Encourage your little one to experience new things, and learn to enjoy getting outside of their comfort zone. You may have to hold their hand at first, but don’t be afraid to let go, and see how they do on their own. It’s a big, beautiful world out there, and your child should grasp every opportunity to delight in it!
2. IT’S YOUR CHOICE
Giving your child choices to make even early on in life will instill confidence in themselves. Knowing that they have choices, the freedom to choose, and your support all along the way is priceless.
YOU ARE SAFE AND LOVED
This may seem an odd or clunky thing to say, but letting your kid know that they are safe when they are with you is pretty important. While ensuring their safety and happiness is always the goal as a parent, verbalizing it every once in a while shows how much they are valued, and reassures them of their security.

4. YOU MAKE ME HAPPY
While it is true that our kids bring us endless joy, they sometimes cause a few headaches. We tend to only vocalize the times that they need to be quiet, or sit down, or go to bed. Instead, make a point to let your child know how happy they make you, and how you couldn’t imagine a life without them.
5. I TRUST AND BELIEVE IN YOU
Your kids never grow out of needing your approval. So start early, and don’t stop! This doesn’t mean letting them do whatever they want, but rather boosting their confidence when they make good choices, and being open to discussing options with them. Your words can build them up or tear them down, and either way, eventually your kids will grow up find their place in the world. Don’t you want to be the one who gave them their wings?

6. HAVE A GREAT DAY, DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE
Your kid is struggling to find their identity every day, and it’s happening sooner than you think. In this fast paced world we live in, it seems the angsty teenage years start at 10! It’s never too early to help build your child’s identity, and help them figure out what values to hold on to. Reminding them of who they are and how special and important they are before they leave the house – well, that’s just icing on the cake!
I’ve now added the words “You are safe and loved!” into my goodnight ritual for my son. I whisper these words softly in his ear before he drifts off to sleep. “You are safe and loved.” I truly hope this quiet whisper creates a loud, infinite echo which lasts him long into adulthood.
7. MISTAKES HAPPEN
When I was a kid, I swear I spilled a glass of milk at least once a day. I cried every time. That’s right, I literally cried over spilt milk. I’m sure it got annoying, and I’m sure when my parents started poking fun at me it was all in good humor. But I became so very self-conscience about my clumsy hands and my bumbling feet that I didn’t want to hardly move for fear of knocking something over! Instead of getting upset over spilt milk, it is far more productive to teach your kids that mistakes happen, and it’s how we deal with them that matters. You may even have an opportunity to show them how to handle a mistake in your own life!
I LOVE YOU
Because you knew it had to be on this list somewhere, right?
There are many ways to say “I love you” to your children, without actually uttering those three small-but-mighty words. Below are my seven favorite alternatives, which also double-duty as “Empowering Life Philosophies” for raising kids who feel resilient — kids who feel deep inside themselves that they have what it takes to bounce back from life’s assorted (and sordid!) challenges.
After all, let’s face it. No matter how hard we all try to travel a bump-free path to happiness, life will always present its share of surprise potholes.

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