Each Thursday over at the exceptional blog Raising Happiness they are hosting a discussion of the book, also titled Raising Happiness. This book has been on my “to read” stack for a while, and the weekly chapter-by-chapter posts have been the perfect incentive for me to pull it out of the pile, leaving the others to wobble Jenga-style on my nightstand.

Their blog is a delight, full of new ideas about living a joyous and compassionate life while teaching your children to do so. Unlike many other parenting websites, I never come away from this one with the sense of being overwhelmed or falling behind or failing at this seemingly impossible task of parenthood. I am nearly always inspired to try something new and live more deliberately.

Though the discussion group is now four chapters in, don’t worry. This is an easy read, and the posts and comments are waiting for you whenever you get a chance to catch up.

In the book, just as in her blog, author and sociologist Christine Carter lays out the latest information in psychology and sociology, assuring us that happiness can be thought of as a “collection of habits rather than a genetically endowed trait.”

This is good news! We can teach our children the habits of happiness as we learn them ourselves.

And for those of you feeling stretched and frazzled, consider that the first chapter, entitled “Step 1: Put on Your Own Oxygen Mask First” focuses entirely on the importance of soothing your own frayed nerves, feeding  your spirit, and building your marriage before beginning anything else.

Hopefully, I’ll see you over at the Raising Happiness discussion.

Tags: Books & Resources

About Sarah

Sarah Aadland is striving to make family volunteering a meaningful habit for her two preschoolers. Join the conversation as she ponders what they may (or may not have) learned and looks for helpful information about raising compassionate kids.Though she plans to one day put her Masters in Public Policy back to work for social justice, she sees family volunteering as a way to build a stronger community, a better world, and a more connected family. In addition to her children, Sarah tends a large garden, a small flock of chickens, and a habit of mindfulness amid the necessary rituals of parenting.

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