Happy Happy Kids

We all want the same things for our kids. We want them to grow up to love and be loved, to follow their dreams, to find success. Mostly, though, we want them to be happy. But just how much control do we have over our children's happiness?
Evident from infancy, kids temperaments come, at least in part, from their genes. But that doesn't mean their ultimate happiness is predetermined, assures Bob Murray, PhD, author of Raising an Optimistic Child: A Proven Plan for Depression-Proofing Young Children -- for Life (McGraw-Hill).
'There may be a genetic propensity for depression, but our genes are malleable and can be switched on or off depending on the environment,' he says. 'The research clearly shows that happy, optimistic children are the product of happy, optimistic homes, regardless of genetic makeup.'
What can you do to create a home where your child's happiness will flourish? Read on for strategies that will strengthen your child's capacity to experience joy.