You may have heard the saying, “If mama isn’t happy, nobody’s happy.” In my experience, it has proven true. We, as mothers, have powerful influence on the emotional state of our family. It’s true that we don’t control their emotions,
You may have heard the saying, “If mama isn’t happy, nobody’s happy.” In my experience, it has proven true. We, as mothers, have powerful influence on the emotional state of our family. It’s true that we don’t control their emotions, but our demeanor can directly impact theirs. I know it … I can feel it and my keiki can, too. It is a chemical connection. When I am happy, my keiki is happy. And for those moments when he becomes unhappy, I am able to give him the love and attention he needs, because I am in a better head space.
I notice that when I do things that make me happy and include my keiki in these activities, my joy is contagious. For example, I love being outdoors, I love being in nature. I have to find time every day to spend outside. Being in nature and taking a moment to enjoy, admire and appreciate it is one of my heart’s delights. Since my ‘ohana lives in a condo and we don’t have a big yard to play in, I will take my keiki outside to have my “nature time.”
I have noticed that, for him, it is also a special time. We touch the bark of different trees, noticing their different textures. He loves to look up and see what the trunk is connected to. We admire how big the tree is, and try to find the blue sky tucked within the boughs and branches. This, for me, is a blissful experience, and his face always softens as he takes it all in.
We continue our walks around the apartments and he curiously touches and admires different flowers and leaves. I pick a few to put in a vase when we get home.
Yesterday, I could see he needed a change of scenery, and I did, too, so immediately I thought, “Nature time!” It also happened to be lunch time, so I steamed up some squash and grabbed a sheet. I always carry an old sheet in my car so wherever I am, I can spread it out and have a relaxing time outside. We found some shade under a big banyan tree and ate our snack.
It was so simple and yet so delightful. By the end of it, we were both covered in squash and had smiles from ear to ear.
Try this: What makes you happy? What brings you joy? Include your keiki in this activity and let your happiness be contagious! When you see his happiness from doing something that also makes you happy, it adds up to even more happiness and a deep sense of satisfaction.
• For more insights and inspirations on raising a happy keiki go to www.myhappykeiki.com.
