Most parents want to raise happy kids, but did you know it all starts by being a happier parent? When it comes to children, they mimick everything their parents do. And the best way to raise happy kids is by being happy yourself! This can be difficult in today’s modern age. Many of us have an endless to-do list, bills to pay, career and many other stressors. With all of this pressure, it can be hard to come home and be happy.
Let’s face it, financial security plays a big role in happiness. With the rising costs in childcare and schooling in Malaysia, it’s no wonder many parents feel stressed rather than happy. Unfortunately, this can spill over into their home lives. Another big factor, according to pweresearch.org is marriage. In a survey from 2012, it was found that among married adults, 36% of those with children and 39% of those without children were “very happy” with their lives. That being said, 23% of non-married adults with children and 22% of non-married couples without children said they were very happy. What does it take to be a happy parent? What is missing from the equation? At Little Human Scholars school in PJ, we decided to research this and found many of the answers we sought in an article by PsychologyToday.com.
How to Be a Happier Parent
Teach Kids to Do Things for Themselves.
It’s no mystery that raising children can take time, attention and compassion. Especially when children are toddlers, parents are involved in almost every aspect of their lives: from waking them up in the morning to making meals, to playdates, storytime, the educational aspect and let’s not forget potty training. As children get older though, one of the key aspects of happy parenting is teaching them to do things for themselves.
Kids Come First, But Not All the Time.
Know when to put yourself first! Catering to your child’s every whim can make a parent crazy! They don’t have to get everything they want when they want it. As an adult, you can decide what is for dinner, what to do on the weekends, etc. Perhaps taking a Saturday to lounge around the house or dropping them off at your parents’ so you can get some much-needed downtime is just what the doctor ordered. Believe it or not, this isn’t being selfish – it is an act of self-love. Love yourself enough to give you what you need so you can take better care of your child!
Respond Rather Than React.
Understand what really matters – there is a difference between a threat and an inconvenience. Making a bad mark in school isn’t the end of the world. It’s a part of life! Or if your child gets into a tiff with another child, it doesn’t mean they will never have friends! In other words, don’t blow things out of proportion. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill! Respond to the situation rather than reacting to it. If your child won’t listen to you, do you react emotionally, or do you find a solution and work with them?
Find the Blessings in the Problems.
Can you look out the window and take in nature as your child throws a tantrum on the ground? Can you celebrate your child even if they don’t make the best grades, or don’t have as many friends like other children? Can you accept your child for who they are without needing to “change” them? One key to being a happy parent is understanding that your child isn’t going to be a “child” forever. Taking in the little things, even when they are annoying or don’t suit us, helps us to be happier parents.
How you do one thing is how you do most things. And children have an uncanny ability to mimick their parents – including their parents’ emotional state. In summary, a little personal development can go a long way for you and for your children.
About Little Human Scholars School in PJ
Little Human Scholars is an all-in-one childcare solution. It is a preschool, playschool, kindergarten, nursery and full-day daycare centre (with extended hours) located in the heart of PJ.
In fact, the location is one of the things which makes Little Human Scholars so sought after – it is conveniently nestled near Jalan Gasing, University hospital, PJ Old town, PJ New town, Jaya One, Jaya33, and the PJ IT Mall.
The best part is LHS has premiere services many other schools in PJ don’t offer such as full-day daycare with extended hours, CCTV access for parents, and a nifty little phone app called Toddlytic which provides parents with automatic updates on their child’s development, behaviour and health checks.
With full-time guards always present at each of their locations, access to CCTV (which is in every room except the office, bathroom and kitchen areas), and very strict pick-up and drop-off rules, Little Human Scholars treats every child who walks into its hallways as one of their own children!
This place has it all: location, safety, health, IGSCE curriculum and play-based learning. What more could you ask for? Did I mention they also have transportation services and offer meal plans for students? It doesn’t get any better than that.
If you are interested in a tour of one of our centres (that’s right, there’s more than one), all you need to do is fill out the form here or call +6017-7303-025 and an LHS administrative staff will get back with you shortly!