Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: How to start a conversation
• Method 2 of 3: How to quickly cheer up your child
• Method 3 of 3: Raising a Happy Child
• Tips
• Warnings

It may seem that children get more pleasure out of life than adults, but this does not mean that they are always happy with everything. Children are sad too, and your job as a parent or guardian is to figure out what the problem is and help the child. Start by talking about the problem and find ways to cheer up your child both now and in the long run.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: How to start a conversation

1. 1 Ask your child about their problems. If your child is sad, you are likely to be alarmed. If the child is sad, he may cry, sulk, behave detached and generally not as usual, and this is already a cause for concern. Your child is sad for a reason, so try asking them about their concerns.
   • Don't avoid talking about difficult things. If the family has had a death, divorce, or separation, admit it and answer any questions the child may have.
   • Some children find it difficult to express their feelings in words. Be patient and ask questions until you understand what happened.
   • If the child does not know how to talk about what is bothering him, play a game with twenty questions ("warm" - "cold"). This will make it easier for you to understand the situation.
   • If you suspect you know why your child is upset, start asking leading questions. For example, you can say this: "It seems to me that you are sad because Vanya moved" or "I understand that you are upset because Masha did not want to sit with you at the same desk."
2. 2 Don't discount your child's feelings. If your child is worried about something, it is important to let him know that you value his emotions. It should be felt in the way you ask the questions and in the way you react to his words.
   • Ask your child to talk about their concerns. Even when it comes to difficult topics, it is important to listen to the child and be attentive to his words.
   • Never tell your son or daughter (or any other person in such a situation) to forget about the problem, to cheer up or to collect. All of this will lead the child to the idea that you are not taking his feelings seriously.
   • Also, never tell your child that things are not so bad. From the point of view of an adult, it may look exactly like this, but for a child many situations can seem catastrophic - for example, if his friend refuses to sit with him at the same desk.
   • Remember that if a child is sad, they may experience different emotions at the same time - for example, fear and anger. Be patient and try to calm your child down if he is afraid or angry with someone.
3. 3 Tell us about what makes you sad. Some children think that their parents are never sad.Parents often hide their negative emotions to protect their children, and this is sometimes helpful, but the child should not think that parents are never sad.
   • If you do not hide the moments when you are sad, and talk about your sadness, the child will understand that he is not alone with these feelings and that this is normal.
   • Tell your child that there is nothing wrong with crying, and don't be afraid to cry in front of the child. Cover him from other children so that they do not see him and do not call him a crybaby.
   • Tell your child about times you were sad and add that you, too, sometimes cry yourself.

Method 2 of 3: How to quickly cheer up your child

1. 1 Play it. If your child is sad, try playing with him. This will remind your baby that you love and care for him, and it can distract him from problems.
   • If your child is still playing with toys, take his favorite toys and play with him. If he already plays video games, try to complete several levels with him.
   • Give your child toys or activities that require all the senses to work. It has been found that playing with tactile materials like clay, plasticine, sand, rice, and even water can help children deal with negative emotions.
2. 2 Take an interest in what the child likes. The child may be interested in different things, and everything will depend on age, gender and character. Whatever interests the child, try to share this interest with him. This will allow you to get closer, and it is possible that you can talk to your child about more serious things.
   • If your child enjoys comics, ask them which ones are their favorite. Ask him to give them to you to read.
   • If your child loves cartoons or TV shows, watch them together. This will help you understand the humor of this age group better, making it easier to cheer your child up when they feel sad.
   • If your child is fond of sports, watch the game with him on TV or buy tickets to the stadium.
   • Whatever the child is interested in, try to love these things yourself. This will make it easier for you to bond emotionally and will know how to cheer your child up the next time they feel sad.
3. 3 Let your child express problems through play. This is not suitable for all children, but some people want to express in the game the problems they face. This could be a recent family event (such as death) or something the child has seen but does not fully understand (such as work responsibilities or church services).
   • Dramatization is a good way to study a problem in a safe environment.
   • Support your child in his aspirations. You may be sad to see that the child plays in the funeral after death in the family, but this is how he tries to realize loss, to understand what death and grief are.
   • If a child asks you to play with him, do not refuse, but do not impose your company if he wants to play himself or with other children.
4. 4 Go for a walk or bike ride together. Exercise causes the body to release endorphins, which are responsible for feelings of joy. Any organism, regardless of age, works this way. If your child is upset or upset about something, try doing something active together to relieve stress and cheer yourself up.
5. 5 Allow your child to be alone. Sometimes children are stressed by the constant company of people. This can happen even if the child is just using an electronic device all day. If your son or daughter wants to sit with you, do not refuse, but make sure that the child has the opportunity to be alone without electronic devices.
   • Don't let your child spend more than two hours a day in front of the TV or computer. These two hours should include all the time spent in front of any electronic devices.
   • The time children spend alone teaches them to rely on themselves.Gradually, the child will learn to work with their emotions and relax without resorting to games or other distractions.
6. 6 Hug your child. It may sound trivial, but hugging is a great way to comfort your child when they are sad, nervous, or upset. Hug your child whenever he is sad and don't let go until he feels better.
7. 7 Surprise your child with something interesting. Nice surprises are a great way to distract your child from their worries. But be careful - the child should not wait for gifts or surprises every time he is sad. It is important not to use distractions too often and too intensely without addressing the causes of the sadness, as this can harm the child.
   • Choose something simple that doesn't cost a lot. You should not give large gifts like birthday or New Years. Just surprise your child with something pleasant.
   • Only give surprises when your child is really bad. You should not drown out all the small episodes of sadness with gifts, as this will make it more difficult for the child to cope with his problems in the future.
8. 8 Help your child get ready for bed. It is important for your child to do something calming before bed, especially if something unpleasant happens in his life. Make sure that your child gets enough sleep and prepares for bed so that he can wake up joyful and refreshed in the morning.
   • Help your son or daughter relieve stress before bed. Read together, talk about days gone by, take a warm bath.
   • The temperature in the room should be comfortable for sleeping. It is recommended to set the temperature at 18-22 degrees Celsius, but it is better to focus on the child's preferences.
   • Remember that children need more sleep than adults. A child aged 5 to 12 needs 10-11 hours of sleep per day.

Method 3 of 3: Raising a Happy Child

1. 1 Teach your child to express emotions. To make it easier for a child in adulthood (and so that he can enjoy life now), it is important to teach him to express his feelings and emotions. Some children find this difficult, but you can help your child with it.
   • Ask your child to list the feelings they are currently experiencing. Then talk about why the child is feeling this way, paying attention to every emotion and every feeling.
   • Ask your child to draw their feelings. Drawing is a good way to express what's going on inside, especially if the child refuses to talk about feelings or does not know how to express emotions.
   • Some children, like adults, may be more withdrawn and withdrawn than others. This does not mean that there is something wrong with the child or that he is hiding something, but you should still ask if the child would like to tell you about something.
2. 2 Be consistent. Follow routines to keep your child safe at home. Be ready to be there when you are needed and support your child. It may take some time to develop certain patterns, but it will be beneficial for the emotional calmness of the child.
3. 3 Help your child keep a journal of inspiring things. If your child has never kept a diary before, help him get started. If he is already keeping a journal, suggest that he also write down what inspires him.
   • Such a diary will help the child understand that everything that happens to him matters. It will also allow him to deal with bad moods in the future.
   • In a diary, you can write about a variety of things: from new discoveries, events and questions to inspiring things.
4. 4 Go on an adventure together. Exploring new things and places will help you bond. This will develop curiosity in the child and allow you to look at the world in a new way.
   • Go to a museum together, go dancing, come up with a new hobby.
   • Go to the park or take a short trip to see something new and interesting.
   • The adventure should be fun for the child.Ask him to suggest travel ideas or talk about your plans.
5. 5 Help your child understand what they are doing well. Scientists have found that it is extremely important for a child to be able to do something very well for a child's development. It helps him to set goals for himself, to feel that he is doing something for good reason, and to be proud of his achievements.
   • If your child enjoys something (for example, likes to watch hockey or dance competitions on TV), ask if he would like to sign up for the appropriate classes.
   • Don't force your child to do certain activities if they don't like them. Let him decide what he likes and start doing it when he is ready.
   • Make sure that the child does not get carried away by the competition too much. He will not be able to win in all competitions, so praise him for his achievements and say that he showed himself very well.
6. 6 Teach your child to be grateful. Gratitude isn't just about having certain things. It is important that the child appreciates all the good things that happen to them, the loving family, the skills they have, and the hobbies they enjoy.
   • Help your child learn to appreciate the small pleasures of life - for example, a walk in the park on a sunny day or a glass of your favorite juice.
   • Place a sign on the refrigerator or on the wall where the child could write down what he likes in his family, in himself and in the world around him.
7. 7 Know when to seek professional help. Many children experience feelings of sadness, but there are children who suffer from clinical depression, have behavior problems, and experience emotional trauma. If you notice any of the following symptoms for a long time, see a psychotherapist:
   • developmental delays (speech, vocabulary, potty training)
   • trouble concentrating and learning
   • behavioral problems, including being overly aggressive, tantrums, urinating in bed, eating disorders
   • significant deterioration in school performance
   • frequent episodes of sadness, tearfulness, depression
   • refusal to communicate, isolation, loss of interest in what used to be pleasant
   • bullying or becoming the target of bullying
   • insomnia
   • excessive sleepiness
   • frequent or significant tardiness or absenteeism
   • unpredictable mood swings
   • signs of substance abuse (including alcohol, drugs, drugs, substance abuse)
   • inability to adapt to life changes
8. 8 Find a therapist for your child. If you think that communication with a psychologist will be beneficial, it is important to find a competent doctor. You can also see a psychiatrist (a doctor with a degree in psychiatry), a clinical psychotherapist (a psychotherapist), or a social worker.
   • Ask your pediatrician to recommend a specialist. If he cannot advise you on someone, make the same request to close friends, relatives or colleagues.
   • You can search for doctors on the Internet.
   • When you find a doctor you like, ask if he can see you in person or on the phone. Before discussing your child's problems, it's best to find out if this doctor is right for you.
   • Some doctors charge for preliminary consultations, and some do not. Better to find out in advance.
   • Make sure your doctor has permission to practice. Review information about your doctor's education and experience.
   • Ask how long the doctor has been working with children and adolescents.
   • Consider if your child will like this doctor and if he or she seems pleasant and friendly.
   • Ask what the doctor specializes in (for example, cognitive behavioral therapy).
   • Find out the cost of consultations, including repeated ones.

Tips

• If your child has a pet, if possible, let the child play with the pet when he is sad.
• Spend time with your child when he is sad. It is important that he knows that you will always be there.
• Try to understand what is happening with your child, and do not judge or punish him for his feelings.

Warnings

• Never yell at your child if they are upset. Never tell your child to calm down or invalidate his feelings in any other way.