having a happy kid is central to how parents are raising their kids. What happiness means or looks like, will vary between children, and many parents worry their little ones aren't happy enough.

Ask a kid, “Does eating chocolate cake make you happy?” Likely the answer is “yes.” (If no, pick another dessert.) Then get them to understand that happiness from eating that one thing ...

“Our results indicate that the parental “happiness penalty” varies substantially ... in that zero through five period end up with kids who are better socialized,” says Glass.