Life Well Lived : Getting Happy

Ack! I’m late in getting this post up. All of this back pain nonsense has seriously thrown me off. 

So, the BlogHer Life Well Lived question for last/this week was/is…

How do you teach the children in your life happiness?

Hmmm. Well. Uhm. Since I’ve got such big kids, this question instilled a bit of panic. Have I taught them happiness? Did I do enough? Are they going to end up in therapy? (the answer to that last one is YES. most definitely.)

One of my parenting regrets (and oh, there is a long list) is that I waited too long to teach my kids about happiness. I didn’t fill their formative years with impromptu moments that resonated with joy. If you’re reading this, and have little ones, please stop right now and do something joyful & happy. Go ahead…I’ll wait. 

I’m avoiding the question, aren’t I? Here’s what I hope…

I hope that I have taught them happiness by demonstrating a love for creativity, and showing them that it’s okay to take time to enjoy yourself. I hope that I have taught them happiness by encouraging honesty. I hope that I have taught them happiness by always involving them in decision-making and really listening to their wants. 

And if none of those things worked? I hope that I’ve taught them happiness by introducing them to browned butter chocolate chip cookies. 

Go check out what people much smarter than me have to say about this question!