The importance of laughter for children

All too often the hardships of parenting consume the majority of our time with our children. We are usually overworked and trying to figure out how to make our budgets stretch to meet our children’s want and needs. We wonder if we will ever get enough of a break to enjoy our partners and friends as much as we used to.

Laughter is an invaluable weapon against the tensions that fill our lives every day. Family dynamics will become much easier if parents can try to incorporate periods of laughter with their children into every week. Here are suggestions that you might try with your family.

1. A simple thing to do for families who like movies and recordings is to select funny movies or CD’s to enjoy together. Comedy recordings that have everyone laughing hard can decrease stress more than adventure or romantic stories that can actually increase tension. Some old movies are very funny. My pre-teens really enjoyed watching Marx Brothers movies.

2. Children think that games where they get to beat their parents are very funny this is because much of our children’s lives are run according to adult schedules and ideas. It is often hard for children to feel competent or in charge when they are trying to keep up with all the things that adults are asking them to do. Children love games where they get to win and feel smart and capable.

3. If your child is easily embarrassed or ashamed, they probably would enjoy hearing embarrassing stories from your childhood. It is very reassuring to know that your parent was not always the invulnerable, capable person they often appear to be.

4. Physical play can produce lots of laughter. A five-minute pillow fight or rough and tumble can be fun and release lots of tension that has built up during the day. As with other games it is important for the child to win physical play as well. Many children ask for tickling play time from their Mom or Dad because they want attention and enjoy laughing.