'Tis the season when visions of the latest high-tech gizmo, overpriced gaming set or other novelty dance through your child's head. Those dancing visions are then transferred onto that all-important "wish list". Seems that, as sure as children grow, so ,too, do consumerism and materialism.
Many parents feel stressed and upset over not being able to buy their child a coveted whirligig, due to lack of finances. If you find yourself strapped for cash (and even if that isn't the case) this year, take heart. Turns out all those shiny parcels under the tree have little to do with your child's happiness.
There's plenty of research to back up what most of us intuitively know...kids don't need to get everything their heart's desire. In fact, we've all seen plenty of examples where fulfilling a child's every wish is detrimental to the child.
Rest assured that the good researchers at UC Berkeley have confirmed that there are many other ways to raise a happy child. On the video, you will hear Christine Carter, Ph.D., author of Raising Happiness, and Kelly Corrigan, author of The Middle Place, confirm what was shared in "Presence for the holidays": We rarely remember the gifts that were once under our tree.
So what does make our kids happy? Watch and see. The answers may surprise you!
Comments