Teaching and Explaining Happiness To Kids

It happened again. I got a big rush of energy and a chunk of ideas “came” to me. Actually, through me because it’s like something very pleasant is whispering to my Soul. The big chunk? I heard that we parents would be happier telling our kids about being happy and all the nuances that go with happiness instead of how to make a living, which career to choose, and how to plan for the future.

It’s all about happiness, folks!

Is your logical mind saying…”But, what about kids? We need to tell them about the realities of life for when they’re adults. They need to be realistic so that they can get a good education and job, pay bills, and live a prosperous life.”

Those things, indeed, need to be told, explained, and impressed as important, but the big point here is HOW to tell, explain, and impress. Through what lens are you providing reality? Is it hardship as in “Life is hard.” Or, is it through doom and gloom as in “Money doesn’t grow on trees.” Is it a combination as in “Work hard, play hard.” 

Well-meaning parents want their children to do even better than they did so they push “Get a good job at all costs,” without discussing happiness. Yes, believe it or not, happiness and career go together. 

What if we shift how we talk about their futures to something like this:

YOUNG CHILD

Child: I want to be an astronaut!

Parent: That’s great! Why do you want to be an astronaut?

Child: I don’t know. I just do. I want to fly in space.

Parent: I love how you state your truth so clearly. Do you feel being an astronaut would make you happy?

Child: I think so.

Parent: How about you feel so?

Child: What do you mean feel so?

Parent: We have talked about how there is a difference between thinking and feeling. Deep soul-level feelings is communication with Divine Creator. That is Mother-Father God talking directly to you! It’s not a surface feeling. It comes from deep within you. It has a different feel. It’s different than when you are happy we are having pizza for dinner. Continue to realize and identify what makes you happy…happy at the soul level as we have already talked about many times. I’ll continue to talk about this more and more as you get older because it’s where you’ll know what to do with your life from this point forward. Happiness at the soul level is the only reason to do something.

Child: You mean I don’t have to make my bed unless it makes me happy?

Parent: Yes, that is exactly what I mean. But, here’s something for you to consider. How does making your bed make you feel once it’s done?

Child pauses.

Child: It does make me feel good! I like seeing it look nice.

OLDER CHILD

Child: I don’t know if I want to try out for the lead role in the musical this year.

Parent: What do your feelings tell you? 

Child: I feel nervous. I enjoyed participating last year, but I had a bit part. It was thrilling, though, to be on stage. I loved everything that went with it. I just don’t know if I have the skills. The other kids are older than me. One of them will probably get the lead role. 

Parent: You had feeling and thinking in what you just said. Separate the feelings from the thinking. Have a quiet time to listen to your Soul feelings. It’ll tell you if you’re ready or not to try out. Maybe trying out is the best thing for you even if you don’t get the part. I had many interviews before I got my first job. I was glad to have some “practice” interviews. Or, maybe you’ll get the part!

Child: Yes, I am confused right now. Too much swirling going on in my head. I need to make sense of it.

Parent: Just as a reminder, your Soul will always lead you in the right direction. It’ll make you feel happy. Joyful. Good. Exhilarated. So the nervousness you feel could be high vibrating energy of happiness or it could be your Soul saying one more year of getting to know theater. Your Soul will tell you.

Pause.

Parent: I love how you utilize this divine communication. It’s better than anything I can tell you or anyone else’s input for your life. It’s the go to space for your happiness!

Your logical mind may be saying, “Yeah, but life throws some hard hits sometimes. Challenges. Roadblocks. Dead ends. Break ups. Some of it is really tough like when people die unexpectedly.”

This is exactly when listening to the Soul leads us to greener pastures, or how to overcome a challenge, or how to get around a roadblock, or when to go in another direction for the roadblock has a purpose: get around it or change course. With any career choice, happiness is at the center of it. Four years of challenging courses make graduation all that more thrilling. Would you play a game that was easy to win every time? Challenges are part of the happiness big picture. Rock climbers stretch (literally) for more and bigger climbs. Runner go for more and bigger marathon events. Writers write longer and different books. 

Please note: Someone who leaves his or her body at a time different than our expectations is a challenge, indeed. At a subconscious level, he or she knew it was time to exit the temporary body suit for this life. The Soul will soothe and explain why living to an old age isn’t a guarantee. The person’s life was complete. It was time to go. We leave in perfect timing except in the case of suicide. Please understand that no matter how we exit from this time and place, we are in good hands…no matter what. For a complete explanation of this subject, read: https://www.amazon.com/Empowering-Kids-Suicide-Choose-Decision-ebook/dp/B00IJM1O4M/ref=sr_1_12?crid=1VXEP9Y6WBQ3O&keywords=lizabeth+jenkins-dale&qid=1677526615&sprefix=lizabeth+jenkins%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-12

Happiness. Joy. Peace. These are the way to guide your child into the most wonderful life right now that is filled with choosing from vast options that their individual Souls will guide perfectly through and around thrilling challenges. It’s all about happiness, folks!!