A recent quote I came across from John Lennon had me waxing philosophical today and thinking about the bigger picture:

"When I was 5 years old, my mom always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down "happy". They told me I didn't understand the assignment and I told them they didn't understand life."

Like any parent, happiness is what I truly want for my child and it's something that I think unfortunately eludes a lot of people.  Although I try my hardest and do my absolute best when it comes to my daughter's happiness, I don't claim to know all the answers and I'm sure I'm making plenty of mistakes along the way.  That's why I'm glad there's a professional dedicated to helping us parents figure out the big picture.

Dr. Christine Carter has created an entire new school of thought in regards to rearing our children, called Raising Happiness.  She hosts year-round online parenting classes and has even written a book to firmly plant our parenting skills and our children on the path to happiness.  Keep reading to learn more!

Psychologists, sociologists, psychiatrists, and neurologists study happiness through single focus lenses, but when you put together their disparate research—as Christine Carter does at the Greater Good Science Center—you see proof that happiness is a skill; it is a muscle any parent can help their child build and maintain.

In the book, Raising Happiness, Carter covers the day-to­‐day pressure points of parenting—how best to discipline, get kids to school and activities on time, and get dinner on the table—as well as the more elusive issues of helping children build healthy friendships and develop emotional intelligence. In these ten key steps, Carter also reveals:

• The best way avoid raising a brat—changing bad habits into good ones
• What parents should consider when tackling the child care dilemma, and what new research reveals about the effects of daycare
• Tips on how to change your kids’ attitude into gratitude
• The trap of trying to be perfect—and how to stay clear of its pitfalls
• The right way to praise kids—and why too much of the wrong kind can be just as bad as not enough
• The spirit of kindness—how to raise kind, compassionate, and loving children
• Strategies for inspiring kids to do boring (but necessary) tasks—and become more self-­‐motivated in the process

As the parent of a toddler, this book spoke to me and my family in so many ways and is a terrific guide for any family.  Complete with a series of "try this" tips, secrets and strategies, Raising Happiness is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you instill joy in your kids - and, in the process, become more joyful yourself.

I'm happy to report that I will also be attending Dr. Christine Carter's online parenting class this fall.  This online class, Raising Happiness, helps parents teach their children happiness habits, including the practices, beliefs and behaviors that help bring more joy into their own lives and the lives of their children. The Fall 2011 Raising Happiness online class begins on October 3, 2011 and runs for ten weeks.

“Beginning a new school year can be very stressful for parents and children alike,” says Carter. “Although parents can not control the challenges faced by their children in the new school year, they do have the opportunity to teach their children the skills needed to increase happiness in their day-to-day lives.”

Following is the agenda for the Fall 2011 Raising Happiness class:

Theme One: How and Why to Put Your Own Happiness First

• Week 1: Why Happiness is the Biggest Advantage in Life
• Week 2: It’s True: Your Happiness is the Most Important Thing
• Week 3: Why Parents Today Aren’t Happy
• Week 4: How to Break a Habit and Start a New One: The Science of Change
• Week 5: Dedicated Implementation Week and Group Coaching Call

Theme Two: The Science of Success

• Week 6: The Two Most Powerful Things You Can Say to Kids
• Week 7: Your Guide to Elite Performance (i.e., How to Raise an Olympic Athlete)
• Week 8: Perfectionism is a Disease; Achievement is a Myth
• Week 9: How to Foster “Grit” in Your Children
• Week 10: Dedicated Implementation Week and Live Group Coaching

Dr. Carter has helped thousands of parents find more joy in their parenting while raising happy, successful and resilient kids through Raising Happiness. For more information on Raising Happiness, visit www.Raisinghappiness.com. Registration closes October 3rd.  I highly recommend picking up a copy of the book, Raising Happiness, or signing up to attend the online parenting class right along with me!  :big grin:

Disclosure:  I received the Raising Happiness Book and a chance to attend the online parenting class, Raising Happiness, from Dr. Christine Carter in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. This product review is based on my own personal experiences with this item and is completely honest and objective.