It would be great to teach children happiness but I think first we have to teach ourselves.

We aren't taught to do what we love- we are taught to do what pays the bills and then maybe you'll get "lucky" enough to do what you love.

Learning new things is fine, but you have to do more important things first.

Stop daydreaming you don't have time for that. Do your homework.

Who has time for friendships? You have to get ahead in life.

Who are you to be happy? Nobody is happy. Life isn't fair, get used to it.

Gee whiz no wonder people are crazy and unhappy! But sadly it gets passed down because you can only do what you know.

no wonder it took me 30 years to figure out how to be happy when you put it like that.

Thank goodness I'm figuring it out now so I can teach it to her.

What a great list. I still think we're better at teaching these things than our parents generation, but maybe I'm wrong.

Did you see 60 minutes last week. They did a story on happiness and Denmark is the happiest country. The young people in Denmark said they don't feel any happier than anyone else, but maybe just more content. (they mentioned the fact that their colleges are FREE and they don't have the worries that young Americans have). Hmmmm...

That's a good point. One scientific study I read about happiness did have to do with whether you're worried about finances. They shows people in countries with socialized medicine are happier in general because that worry, a source of stress, is not on their shoulders.

They showed in that same study that once your heirarchy of needs are met with basic shelter, health, food, etc. that you do not become happier just from acquiring money. But, you can not be happy unless those basic needs are met.

I should say - are more unlikely to be happy instead of can not be happy.

Have you heard of a guy called Martin Seligman? He has written some great books about happiness and has created an area called positive psychology - he is doing some amazing stuff. His website is www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/ and is worth a look!

Thanks Leisa - I'll definately check it out.

I love your blog! This was a great list and really good for me to read today. I've been arguing with my daughter about homework all weekend. Maybe today we'll go have some fun first before we get down to business.

Thanks so much for saying so. I hope you'll come back often.

Homework is important sure. But, so is fun. Balance. We should teach them balance. Work hard, try to enjoy the work and play hard.

Maybe big rewards for homework accomplished? Plus, I like to make learning fun - maybe you can find a creative way to do that.

It would be great to teach children happiness but I think first we have to teach ourselves.

We aren't taught to do what we love- we are taught to do what pays the bills and then maybe you'll get "lucky" enough to do what you love.

Learning new things is fine, but you have to do more important things first.

Stop daydreaming you don't have time for that. Do your homework.

Who has time for friendships? You have to get ahead in life.

Who are you to be happy? Nobody is happy. Life isn't fair, get used to it.

Gee whiz no wonder people are crazy and unhappy! But sadly it gets passed down because you can only do what you know.

no wonder it took me 30 years to figure out how to be happy when you put it like that.

Thank goodness I'm figuring it out now so I can teach it to her.

What a great list. I still think we're better at teaching these things than our parents generation, but maybe I'm wrong.

Did you see 60 minutes last week. They did a story on happiness and Denmark is the happiest country. The young people in Denmark said they don't feel any happier than anyone else, but maybe just more content. (they mentioned the fact that their colleges are FREE and they don't have the worries that young Americans have). Hmmmm...

That's a good point. One scientific study I read about happiness did have to do with whether you're worried about finances. They shows people in countries with socialized medicine are happier in general because that worry, a source of stress, is not on their shoulders.

They showed in that same study that once your heirarchy of needs are met with basic shelter, health, food, etc. that you do not become happier just from acquiring money. But, you can not be happy unless those basic needs are met.

I should say - are more unlikely to be happy instead of can not be happy.

Have you heard of a guy called Martin Seligman? He has written some great books about happiness and has created an area called positive psychology - he is doing some amazing stuff. His website is www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/ and is worth a look!

Thanks Leisa - I'll definately check it out.

I love your blog! This was a great list and really good for me to read today. I've been arguing with my daughter about homework all weekend. Maybe today we'll go have some fun first before we get down to business.

Thanks so much for saying so. I hope you'll come back often.

Homework is important sure. But, so is fun. Balance. We should teach them balance. Work hard, try to enjoy the work and play hard.

Maybe big rewards for homework accomplished? Plus, I like to make learning fun - maybe you can find a creative way to do that.