How to Become a Happier Parent

Have you ever been stuck in a traffic jam
for no apparent reason? You're in bumper-to-
bumper traffic, but when if finally clears
up there was no accident or any other
visible cause. You were a victim of the
"shockwave effect." I'll tell you about it in
a moment...

Two weeks ago we discussed the Fun
Commandment, Agree to Disagree. The results
of agreeing to disagree can be dramatic,
even when the application is subtle. My
son, Greg, now uses this rule when his
children complain and he reports a definite
strengthening of the father/son bond as a
result.

For example, just the other day Greg agreed
to stay home with the 2-year-old so his wife
and two other sons could have a baby-free
day at the pool. My son, being a fun-
loving guy, usually accompanies his children
to the pool and can hardly ever resist
playing with them. They, consequently, love
it when Greg goes to the pool.

Greg's 7-year-old reacted to the news of his
staying home by sadly saying, "I sure wish
Daddy was coming with us." In the past,
Greg's response might've been a semi-stern
lecture like,"William, I'm staying home so
you, Jordan, and Mom can have a fun time
without Logan." Such a response is a subtle
disagreement which clearly tells
William, "You're wrong for feeling that way!"

Here's how Greg now agrees to disagree. He,
instead, says, "William, I agree with you. It
would be fun for me to go to the pool. Do
you understand why I'm staying home?" This
response tells William that, even
though he's still not going to get what he
wants, his feelings are okay. William is
validated as well as responded to, rather
than chastised (just so Greg can maintain
his sense of doing the right thing. i.e.
"How dare you question me, William!").

Of course, it helps that Greg is comfortable
enough with his decision that he can allow
his son to hold a conflicting viewpoint. And,
as long as you utilize my Fun Factor
prescription and my Fun Commandments, I'm
certain you'll feel just as comfortable with
your decisions. You'll no longer feel as
much defensiveness prompting you to draw
lines in the sands during your disagreements.

Greg reports, as do I, that his
relationships are stronger since he began
practicing this rule. He feels more open
and emotionally available to his friends and
loved ones and they have more trust in his
unreserved love and affection. Stronger
relationships, of course, mean more love,
happiness, and fun for you. More positive
energy, in fact, to fuel your daily health
and success!

Are you in a position to turn down more
positive energy? If so, please take over
writing this newsletter...because I want to
know how you're doing it!

By the way, the "shockwave effect" occurs when
stragglers allow their driving speeds to
drop below 45 mph. Speedier drivers can't
help but react to the brake lights and
deceleration of the slower drivers; they
look for the cause of the slowdown. Just a
few slow drivers can set off this shockwave
effect and create bumper-to-bumper traffic
for miles. For no apparent reason.

But you won't be "stuck in traffic." I'm
certain you can think of areas of your life,
both subtle and dramatic, where you can
agree to disagree and, thus, keep
relationships alive and vital. The amount
of energy and fun you'll glean from you
efforts will make all the effort
worthwhile. Please share your results with me.

Your Attention Please!
Cori Young is a friend of ours; a member of
our Humor Being Network, Cori even has an
article published on our website (it's a
great article about science proving the
usefulness of love in child development). I'd
like you to visit Cori's website and
check out some really cool, fun stuff which
will help you be even healthier and happier than
you are now. Visit her today and take some
time to look into her great wallcharts - I
love 'em!

FREE Gifts!
As a newsletter subscriber you are entitled
to two FREE gifts,- Dr. Kuhn's
Ecourse, "Stop Your Seriousness", and Dr.
Kuhn's book, "Ten Ways You Can Be
Happier...Right Now!"

Click Here to Get Your Free Gifts!

Some Humor for the Week

Patient: Doctor, you've got to help me. Some
mornings I wake up and think I'm Donald
Duck, other mornings I think I'm Mickey
Mouse.

Doctor: Hmmm, and how long have you been
having these Disney spells?

Please - do your friends a favor! Send them
this newsletter or tell them to sign up for it
themselves by going to "http://www.natural-
humor-medicine.com/Fun_times.html" Let's
spread the happiness virus together!