"I JUST want them to be happy" is the refrain of parents the world over – but how do you know if your child is "happy enough"?
Counselling psychologist Maree Watkins will address parents with children of all ages on this subject next week at a talk in Miramar.
Baby and toddler group facilitator Arlene Wulfsohn has asked Watkins to present a talk titled: "Is my child happy... enough?" on Wednesday March 19 at St Dominic's Priory Junior School in Miramar.
"Being 'happy' is a relevant topic especially for our children because of our busy, instant, rushed and stressful lives with huge pressures to be the best, to achieve, to be competitive and to win," said Watkins.
"Added to this, differences in culture and religion, diversity in our families of origin, differences in children's abilities and education – as well as in many if not most cases, both parents working full time, we are often not really aware of how 'happy' our children are.
"Ask children how they are, and what do they say? 'Fine'. The standard stock answer."
Watkins wrote The First Family Feelings Guide in 2007 and has appeared on etv's Great Expectations.
"We know it's impossible to be happy all of the time, but are our children then 'happy-enough'? This is a crucial question. Ask yourself (and not your child) 'is my child happy – enough?'
"How can I tell? Because we need to be making sure as far as possible that our children are 'happy-enough' right now, before they are grown-up.
"Now, while they have the time to just be kids. Now, so that they can learn to be 'happy-enough'.
"And they do need to learn to be 'happy-enough' because being 'happy-enough' does not mean getting what you want all of the time. It does not mean winning and never losing. It does not mean having everyone agree with you.
"No. Instead it has something to do with tolerating disappointment, dealing with differences and coping in spite of not getting a lot of what you want. Is your child 'happy-enough'?"
The Powerpoint presentation will be held at 7 for 7.30pm at the school. The cost is R50 for one person, or R75 per couple, and bookings must be made by tomorrow. Refreshments will be served.
ýFurther information from Wulfsohn, 072-213-2841, or Watkins, 072-606-3759.