A New Year's Resolution

As we make our New Year’s resolutions–the usual weight loss, exercise, save money, and healthy life style–I would like us to think about what we want, not for ourselves, but for our children. When asked what they most want for their child, parents say things like, I want him or her to be happy, to have a fulfilling life, to have enough money, to have friends, and to have good health.

My challenge to you this year is to consider what you do as parents of young children to assure that you are doing the kinds of things that increase the odds of your child achieving the kinds of things we hope for. We will start 2013 considering what parents can do to raise a child who will be happy.

Are you happy? For the next 18 years after birth, a child will live with adults who model by their actions the way they feel about life. I am always in wonder, looking at the faces of young children in their preschool years. A child’s facial expression begins to take on the look that I see on the face of their parent. Parents who live in a state of unhappiness, fear, sadness, or anger model this attitude for their children. Parents who find happiness in each day’s activities, who smile and laugh, model this attitude.

In the face of the child you see the reflection of the parent’s life. To raise children who are happy––be happy.

song

Thumbs are in the thumb place

Fingers all together

This is the song

We sing in mitten weather

When it’s cold outside

It doesn’t matter whether

They are made of wool

Or made of finest leather

repeat 1st first verse, mime actions