• Healthy Eating
    1. Mood swings and even depression in kids are often the result of a heavily processed-food diet. In fact, the greatest concentration of serotonin, which is involved in mood control, depression and aggression, is found in your intestines, not your brain!
  • Eating on Time
    1. If a child goes too long without eating, it may lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels that lead to irritability. Children need to refuel their growing bodies on a regular schedule, so try to keep your child's meal and snack times consistent.
  • Regular, High-Quality Sleep
    1. Too little sleep not only makes kids prone to being grouchy and having mood swings, it also negatively impacts children's behavior and attention. In fact, as little as 27 minutes of extra sleep a night has been shown to have a positive impact on children's mood and behavior. Children aged 5 to 12 need about 10-11 hours of sleep a night for optimal mood and health.
  • Free Play
    1. Today, many kids are so over-scheduled that they scarcely have time to eat dinner and do homework, let alone have any free time for play. Yet the American Academy of Pediatrics states that free, unstructured play is essential for children to manage stress and become resilient, as well as reach social, emotional and cognitive development milestones.
  • Express Emotions
    1. Kids need to yell, cry, stomp their feet and run around with excitement. This is how they express their emotions, which is healthy for emotional development and will prevent a lifetime of internalizing negative emotions. Encourage and allow your child to vent and express his emotions in healthy ways.
  • Make Choices
    1. Kids are constantly being told what to do, so giving them the ability to make choices goes a long way toward increasing their happiness. Try letting your child decide what to wear or what to eat (within reason), or give her a few choices for activities and let her decide which one to do.
  • They Feel Heard
    1. Your child knows when you're not really listening to them (such as if you're 'talking' to them while surfing the Web or watching TV). Yet a child's happiness will soar when he feels like his parents truly listen and respond to what he's saying. Not only will you feel more connected to your child, but you'll also build his self-confidence and happiness.
  • Unconditional Love
    1. Above all else, children need unconditional love, and they need it consistently. If your child makes a mistake, let her know you still love and support her regardless. Your child will grow up confident and happy knowing you are behind her every step of the way.
  • Be Happy Yourself
    1. If you're stressed out and unhappy, your child will sense this and also feel sad and worried. You are your child's first role model, so lead by example by embracing the bright side of life. If you need some help, use these 22 positive habits of happy people to become a happy person yourself.