Comments on: 7 Secrets to Raising a Happy Child

By: Writer Dad

Writer Dad — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:25:57 +0000

Thank you everyone for being patient with me. I know these comments were slow to arrive. The little ones are starting school this coming week, and I’ll be able to get back on my game in no time. : > )

Rob O: Hi Rob, thanks! I agree with your addition for sure. If I’m not mistaken, it was from when this post was over at Zen Habits that we first met. Sorry it was a repeat for you. : > )

Randi: Thanks for the link Randi! Links are even yummier than chocolate.

Samar: Aw shucks, Samar, that’s awfully sweet. Thanks so much for the compliment and congratulations again!

Katrina: Thanks, Katrina! It is so, so true. If we let them know how excited we are to be in their company, it will come right back to us. The reverse is also true. If we are unkind to our children, or show them that they are in any way a burden, how could we not expect that to come right back like a boomerang.

Trina: I’ve been guilty before, for sure. Too much on my plate and I accidently let my children know it. It’s not fair to them and, ultimately, not fair to me. My children deserve the best of my attention, not my leftovers.

Vijay: I agree. My wife teaches meditation to both of our children. I still have a lot to learn in that area, however. : > )

Bonnie: Thanks for saying that, Bonnie! I really appreciate and am glad I could do something to improve your week. YAY!!!

By: Bonnie Gray | FaithBarista

Bonnie Gray | FaithBarista — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:03:13 +0000

I love #4, “Give them eye contact and attention”.

I went through your list and checked them off last week, Sean. And I had a GREAT week with my kids.

Thank you! I RT’d this week but am retwetting my RT in case my tweeps missed it.

By: Vijay Kumar Raisinghani

Vijay Kumar Raisinghani — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:06:46 +0000

Excellent post with some great pointers on how to give proper direction to children so that they take the right steps towards success and happiness in life! I would like to add that introducing children early in life to meditation is one of the best things parents can do. Meditation helps them to steer clear of negativity, have improved concentration, clarity and focus. All these are the building blocks of success and happiness later in life!

By: Trina

Trina — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:34:25 +0000

Yes, yes, and yes! Especially 1,4,& 6. I see too many adults treating their children with disdain, with boredom, yipes – those poor kids. You can just see the pleading in their eyes as they beg for the attention they so deserve.
Your nuggets are gems to be sure, worthy of becoming the tenets of Parenting 101.

By: Katrina

Katrina — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:56:32 +0000

When I get home from a stressful day at work, my son greets me at the door with the biggest smile on his face and stomping his feet with excitement and I can’t help but stomp and laugh with him. This just takes away all the stress from my day. It makes both me and him very happy so tip #1 hit the nail on the head.

These are great tips and I agree with Randi, this should be handed out at the hospital to every new mother. Wonderful post!

By: Samar

Samar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:01:13 +0000

Since I’m going to be a parent in a few months I’m book marking this post and downloading the book for future reference.

When the time comes, I’ll be listing down the 7 points and sticking them up to act upon every day till they become second nature.

By: Randi

Randi — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:03:06 +0000

BTW, I linked to you today…

By: Rob O.

Rob O. — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:30:46 +0000

Great tips! As a companion to your item on limiting media, I’d add this:

Get out! Go play outside with your child. There’s a wealth of little experiences waiting right outside your door.

By: Writer Dad

Writer Dad — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:01:52 +0000

Kimberly: Eye contact is so so important. It allows our children to know that we really are listening and that we really do care.

Damaria: Great job! It’s so true. We do the same thing with our children. “I’m bored” means “I want attention.” But we can’t always have a spotlight shining on us. We also need to learn to keep ourselves entertained.

KBlogger: They are easy to forget or even ignore. But if we know better, we should do better.

Randi: Sigh, Randi. You are too too kind. What you’re saying about #6 is SO true and SO sad. Cindy saw that ALL the time as a teacher. Parents were willing to drop their child at the door and abandon the responsibilities of learning to another. Unfortunately, that’s just cheating our collective future.

Tublemoose: You are the man, George. Your daughter is lucky. : > )

By: Tumblemoose

Tumblemoose — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:08:55 +0000

My daughter is the most important thing in my life.

Being a dad is the best thing I ever did.

I let her know both of these things every single day.

George