Some children find it hard to be happy. They don’t see the good things that are happening to them and don’t seem to enjoy themselves when they are with friends or family. I wonder if they’ve ever been happy or know what happiness feels like?
It is such a shame to even have that thought, yet it is really important for children to show others that they are enjoying themselves and having fun.
Parents can teach children to appreciate what they have and be happy in many ways, but first, we need to discover why they aren’t at present. Is there something the child can do, or do they not feel great about life regardless of how good it is for them?
There are many ways to raise happy children, so check out my tips with some ideas to help you help them.
Parenting Tips To Help Your Child Be Happier
- Share the importance of showing emotion on their face when they are having fun/enjoying themselves.
- Get them to write down all the good things that are happening in their life.
- Ask what makes them happy and then do more of it.
- Get them to share the funny things that happened in their day.
- Tap into their sense of humour and allow them to bring it into conversations.
- Laugh when they make jokes and be supportive of who they are.
- Teach them to smile more.
- Be happy around your children and laugh a lot.
- Praise them and get them to see how amazing they are.
- Teach them to let go of their insecurities and allow their friends to see them.
These are just a few ideas. Happiness can be infectious and everyone deserves to be happy. As parents, we can encourage and help our children know what that feels like.
For more information on raising children and working with them on their self-esteem, check out my book Being Me (And Loving It). It’s a great book to read with your child that will prompt them to think about who they are.
[Published March 2023 | Updated May 2026]
