Happy Children

On November 20, 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child was held at the United Nations General Assembly. The historic moment, in the presence of world leaders, gave their unified commitment to protect the welfare of children throughout the world.

On July 28, 2014, Presidential Proclamation No. 10661, entitled An Act Declaring the Month of November of Every Year as National Children’s Month, was signed into law. This month, the Department of interior and local government, Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare, National Youth Commission, and the Department of Health join the Council for the Welfare of Children and other government agencies in the celebration of National Children’s Month with the theme: “Karapatang Pambata Patuloy na Pahalagahan at Gampanan Tungo sa Magandang Kinabukasan.” This year’s celebration aims to recognize the gains and successes of the Philippines in the promotion and protection of children’s rights.

3 Ps in the Convention on the Rights of the Child

1. Provision: Children have the right to an adequate standard of living, health care, education and services, and to play and recreation. These include a balanced diet, a warm bed to sleep in, and access to schooling.

2. Protection: Children have the right to protection from abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination. This includes the right to safe places for children to play, constructive child rearing behavior, and acknowledgment of the evolving capacities of children.

3. Participation: Children have the right to participate in communities and have programs and services for themselves. This includes children's involvement in libraries, community programs, youth voice activities, and involving children as decision-makers.

7 Secrets to Raising a Happy Child (Source: www.parents.com)

1. Foster Connections. “A connected childhood is the key to happiness.” This is according to author Edward Hallowell, M.D. “Connectedness” means a feeling of being loved, understood, wanted, and acknowledged. Connectedness is the biggest protector against emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, and risky behaviors in children.

2. Don’t try to make your child happy. Avoid putting your child in a bubble by granting him his every wish and desire. The real world does not work that way. Help him learn to deal with negative emotions. Helping your child to be strong and resilient will give him lifelong happiness.

3. Nurture your happiness. Cultivate and nurture your relationship with your spouse. Happy parents lead to happy children.

4. Praise the right stuff. Praise the effort rather than the result. Praise the creativity, the hard work, and the persistence that goes into achieving.

5. Allow for success and failure. Stand back and let them do what they are capable of doing.

6. Give real responsibilities. Let him realize his sense of self-worth.

7. Practice habitual gratitude. Other members of the family should learn to say “thank you,” as a sort of “ritual,” to a sibling or parent he feels to be thankful for.