Parents may prefer to forget the events of 2020, even in the best of circumstances, as it has been difficult with the spread of the Corona virus and its transformation into a pandemic.

Although the virus is still present and the suffering continues;

However, the emergence of the vaccine may give little hope.

So instead of feeling guilty about not being the mom or dad you wanted for the past year, you still have the opportunity to improve this year.

But how can we be healthier and happier parents in 2021?

Avoid idealism

Child psychologist Katherine Hallesy told the Irish Examiner that it is important to realize that we cannot be the ideal parent, ideal partner, or ideal employee.

This is not useful to all of us;

Because we put ourselves under extreme pressure.

She also says that for most people, guilt goes hand in hand with parenting - everyone wishes he could play a better role.

However, guilt is not a useful thing for anyone, it destroys our present and makes us live in the past, and this is exactly the opposite of what our children need, as they need our presence and our focus with them.

If you think you are not doing your best as a parent, think about all the essential things you do for your children, such as prepare good food for them, take them to school, buy their clothing needs and provide for them, says Kate Blouitt, who works in family support for Irish Examiner. Time for entertainment and other basic needs.

At least that's enough for now.

Watch for the little moments of joy

To feel happy and satisfied, you can focus on the little moments of joy with your child, such as watching him enjoy his favorite dinner, getting an amount of money for a task he has done, or his joy when he finishes his homework, and letting him know that you are proud of him.

The important thing to them is seeing you watch them, try to cheer them up, which is good for strengthening the relationship.

Beloit says that joy comes from communication, so even when you are in a bad mood, admit to your children that you are in a bad mood.

It is important if your children are young that they become familiar with the language of emotions such as sadness, anger, etc.

For older children and adolescents, communicating with them and validating their feelings creates understanding, and they desperately need someone to do so.

Daily communication

It may be difficult to find enough time in parents' hectic schedule, to spend it on the task of happy children or to communicate with them and understand what is going on in their minds, according to experts, 8 minutes a day is a magical time to spend privately with each child, and it is enough to make him feel loved and valued. And safety, you can do it first thing in the morning, get into your baby's crib and give him a hug.

Studies have found that children whose needs are met are the most cooperative.

8 minutes a day is a magical time to spend communicating between parents and their children (Getty Images)

The hug effect

Hugs have a big effect on happiness, you can wait a few seconds longer while hugging your kids, don't be in a hurry to turn away from your child to do a chores.

Instead, wait until your child turns away first.

If you do this for longer than usual, you boost the hormone serotonin responsible for feeling happy.

Children's simple dreams

According to Hallesi, we have a basic level of happiness;

Because about 50% of our happiness and satisfaction is a hereditary matter, and about 10% is due to our life circumstances such as our job or financial situation, and there is about 40% left that you can decide about.

Just think about your daily habits that may make you a happy mother.

Everyone in the family will benefit if you give yourself the attention you need.

Very little of what our children want from us is love, time and positive attention.

They don't want you to get stressed, to be there with them.

Reset yourself

Halisei suggests seeing the New Year as a reset of yourself and your interests.

Where you can start over and re-work on basics like sleep, food, hobbies, and self-care.

If you want your children to grow into adults, be good people, take care of themselves, meet their friends, and pursue hobbies, then you have to be this role model.

You have to show them how to be happy human beings in this world.

And even if you don't want to take care of yourself, do so.

Because your children will eventually transform you.

The longer the duration of the hug, the greater the child's feeling of happiness as a result of the secretion of the hormone serotonin (social networking sites)

Self Care Checklist

Parents should ask themselves what is the only small thing I can do to take care of myself, it is not a matter of getting an appointment at the beauty salon once a week or a massage session once a month;

But what we do mean are the things you can do every day to take care of yourself.

You can look out the window and see the sky, watch the stars and maybe trees, or look at the blessing that the world is still moving, you can take a deep breath, or enjoy a quiet cup of coffee.

You can also do a 10-minute activity a day, like reading on your own, or making a call to your mom or best friend.

You can go for a walk if you have a little longer.