Do Happy Parents make Happy Children? Thoughts from a SoulKids® Mentor

I can say with confidence that what any parent desires for their children is nothing other than, happiness. Why do parents put so much pressure on their children to be intelligent, presentable and capable? So that they can picture the child, leading a swimmingly happy life. It's a traditional belief that someone who embodies all those qualities is bound to be happy. Research though, show us otherwise.

'Emotional contagion', which translates to emotional mirroring, is an involuntary ability each of us human beings have, since birth. What it does, is simply to cause unconscious mimicry of emotions felt by those we interact with.

In positive two people interaction for example, when person A feels joy and love, person B's amygdala (a part of the brain responsible for empathy) would involuntarily command emotional mimicry of the same joy and love, which will be re-communicated to person A, resulting in person A, expansion of the same feeling, so on and so forth. This is the very reason why positive interactions can be healing to the body and mind, whilst negative ones often spin out of control faster than either party can say 'dis-eases'. It is a known fact that negative emotions cause a fight or flight response in the person involved, and this in turn will cause a release of pro inflammatory proteins whose responsibility is linked to everything from cancer to heart diseases. During our pre-evolutionary days, inflammation was used to fight off infections that were often the result of fight or flight encounters. Since it is of no use to us now, whenever it is triggered it just sits in our body, accumulating in a very toxic way.

So let's backtrack to how we can make our children happy and healthy. The answer is simply, to be happy ourselves. As the closest influential figures in our children's lives, whenever we are loving and happy around them, their tiny little amygdala would command them to experience love and happiness all the same. Who knew it was that simple? Or is it? This means that the next time your child does something you don't approve of, ask yourself 'what emotional information am I sending to them that causes them to behave this way?' Sometimes our disapproval is enough to put them into a state of stress and fear, and when this happens, show them sincere affection and love them instead. Always remember that loving relationships are healing, while toxic ones as the word suggests, are toxic at a mental, emotional, as well as at a physical level.

"Eventually you will come to understand that Love heals everything, and Love is all there is"
—Gary Zukav

Praveen talks about her personal journey of self-discovery during her recent SoulKids® Mentor Training

SoulKids^® Mentor Training started as a desire to find a personal development course that would help me work with children and help them in their growth. What I found was myself on a very soul searching journey to truly see within and understand myself and the nature of humans.

It culminated with being part of one of the most personally fulfilling events I have ever been involved in where I could tangibly see how I could really connect with children and more importantly have a small part in helping them learn, grow and love themselves.

Praveen is one of our newly certified SoulKids^® Mentors.

If you are interested in taking your own journey of self-development and personal growth, as well as becoming an inspiring mentor to children. Please contact Sally on soulcentresingapore@yahoo.com.sg or call 9875 2372.

Awesome Artwork!

Lexie who attended the SoulKids^® Self-Confidence program in June, let us know her feelings, in beautiful multi-colours!

Sheree Broomhall, sharing her thoughts around her journey to becoming a SoulKids® Mentor (as well as a Rockstar!*)

Tell me about yourself? 


I work in learning and development in the corporate world, and have always been interested in self-development and learning about what makes us tick. When I read about the SoulKids^® course I thought what an amazing opportunity to be part of educating our future leaders and arming them with invaluable life skills. 

What do you like about SoulKids^® mentor training? 


I loved how straightforward and enjoyable the training was. Vikas taught complex concepts, which physiology studies take years to learn in a very straightforward, fun way that will stay with me forever.

How has the training influenced you? 

It has definitely made me more aware of my thoughts and provided huge insight into the way we function.

What has been the most inspiring lesson for you?  


Seeing the children soak up the stories and lessons, they are like sponges and pick up the lessons so quickly. It’s amazing.

How do you think the children will benefit from SoulKids^®? 


The biggest gift for the children is having these amazing life lessons at such an early age, on how they can live a positive life and what they put into life they will get back, they need to work hard, be focused and apply themselves. I wish everyone could learn this wisdom. 

*According to the SoulKids^® children, Sheree is a ROCKSTAR!

A Different Perspective!

After the successful SoulKids Self-Confidence workshop which was held at the beginning of June, we received these comments from Justin and his mum.


Justin, 14
"SoulKids was fun and meaningful. The lessons were told in the form of fun, simple, meaningful and easy to remember stories. It sticks with you."

June

June, Justin's mum
At the end of the 2-day program, my son, Justin told me that he might want to be a SoulKids Mentor. What a difference two days made! My 14 year old acknowledged the value of the program and felt that "young children should learn this stuff."

Being an articulate and well-read boy, Justin's specialty was in coming up with 101 reasons why something would not work, but after the program, Justin became more positive, and less argumentative. To quote Justin: "The stories really made the lessons stick."

I have now put two of my children through the SoulKids program already. Knowing all the stories myself, my children and I now have an additional common language. Instead of lecturing, I now bring up the relevant stories and they complete the lessons themselves. No more need to shout.