How to have happy children

A recent study by the UK Department of Education has discovered the top ten factors in having happy children. Some surprises, but a lot of great encouragement for parents. Here's the list:

1. Being able to talk to parents when worried.
2. Having one or more good friends.
3. Not being bullied.
4. Not often feeling worried about parents or family.
5. Often sitting down to have a meal with people at home.
6. Being able to talk to friends when worried.
7. Not often feeling worried about the way they look.
8. Being a boy.
9. Being pre-teenage.
10. Eating fruit and vegetables.

So worth persevering with family meal times, keeping the lines of communication open and insisting on brocolli.

But you might also check out Luke 6 v 20-23 for some challenging thoughts on how your children will be truly happy... it's Jesus' list. I suppose the rather glaring difference between the two springs from the fact that Jesus' factors are taking eternity into account, rather than focusing only on the here and now.