secrets to a happy child

As a mother, my desire is to raise my children to be happy and secure people . I read somewhere that children are happy when they are able to accomplish and achieve things for themselves.. well I really think that's pretty true and applies not just to children but to everyone of us including adults like me =)



Take for eg, myself... for the longest time , I do feel a bit stifled by my mother in law coz in her intention to dote and love my hubby and me, she has offered to do almost everything in the household for us. This include cooking , buying groceries, washing the clothes...etc . Yes , indeed I'm very fortunate to be so pampered but with my extended time at home with my maternity leave, these very acts of love have frustrated me often .



But just as I began take greater initiative in preparing Gracia's and my lunch on my own , there has been a greater sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. I begin reading more on nutrition for kids and ideas for enjoyable meal times with children. Boy, it's really tiring esp having to juggle with managing another 2 month old baby Gabriel ( his bath, milk feeding, etc)... but I've a greater sense of purpose and satisfication at home... and also, I really am much happier these days.



My lunches are getting more and more sumptuous... I just cooked PORK RIBS today instead of the boring lunches that I used to prepare. Gracia has also been having tastier and healthier meals! =)



And how about Gracia? Right from the beginning of my motherhood ,I decided to include her in whatever I'm doing ( as far as possible), believing that she's never too young.. since my being home, she's been helping me with the washing of clothes , preparing of food ( marination of meat, beating of eggs) and today, she has helped me to rinse the dishes.....



Indeed ,one of my secrets in raising Gracia to be such a happy child is that I always choose to believe that there's nothing she can't do ( unless it's dangerous) and in whatever ways I can, I would want to EMPOWER her to be able to accomplish it for herself ..... =)