There is a myth that childhood is an entirely carefree and happy time. While some children do seem to be more in tune with the pleasures of life, there are plenty of worries and stressors that affect the every day life of the average child. Our children do feel the pressures to perform well, be popular, and do the right thing. We may also be encouraging additional pressure for them to figure out what they want to be and get the good grades and accolades to ensure a successful future. But, our jobs as parents isn’t just to help them figure out what they do well and decently, but to help them discover what it is that gives them joy.
As adults, many of us may still be learning how to “follow our bliss” and discover what it is that gives us joy and purpose and pleasure in life. This may make it tough for us to know exactly how to do the same thing for our children. But, think of how far “ahead” our children will be if they know how to follow their hearts and find the things that give them pure joy early on. Making decisions about where to go to school, what sort of job or training to pursue, how to choose a mate and friends–all of these can be guided by joy if a person knows how.
We can encourage our children to explore the world and hone in on the things that really give them pleasure and joy–instead of just those things we think are practical and will be rewarded by society. Who’s to say that a child’s natural passion and joy for swimming cannot be a lifelong benefit? Besides the exercise aspects, it could become a job or a career or even a volunteer activity. Many of us say that we want our children to be “happy adults”–but in order to achieve that reality, they need to know how to find and nurture joy in their everyday lives.
See Also: Three Thieves of Joy