| Whoever said that "Laughter is the best medicine" | | | | your child an "A" or 100 on a test, they give your child |
| knew what they were talking about. In "the olden days" | | | | the feeling of being smart. A genuine laugh from a |
| we only knew this intuitively. Today, however, scientific | | | | parent or older sibling is even more powerful than the |
| research shows that laughter is really the "the best | | | | teacher giving them a good grade. |
| medicine" (O.K. it's second to antibiotics. but it is surely | | | | 3. It builds self confidence. A laugh is a sign that they |
| GOOD medicine.). | | | | were successful in their mission (to be funny). Success |
| It stimulates production of endorphines in the brain, | | | | breeds success which, in turn, builds self confidence. |
| relieves stress, increases oxygen in the body and | | | | 4. Teaches how to lose gracefully. Life skills are mainly |
| even strengthens the heart muscles. It does all of this | | | | learnt in the home and one of the most important life |
| with no harmful side effects and it isn't even difficult to | | | | skills is "how to lose". Sore losers have difficulty making |
| swallow! | | | | friends and staying in relationships (who wants to be a |
| The benefits of laughing, however, don't end with the | | | | friend of someone who always has to be right?). |
| person who laughs. Your child, spouse, and all of your | | | | When you joke around with your children and they |
| family members (who said the joke) also gain | | | | outsmart you, just laugh it off. This is the best |
| tremendously when you laugh when they say | | | | education that you can give them; how to lose. |
| something witty, sharp, or funny. | | | | For instance, 2 years ago, I was coming home in a taxi |
| In this article I will show you 4 ways that your family | | | | and my young son was waiting for my arrival on the |
| members gain when you show that what they say is | | | | sidewalk. He was so excited that he ran into the street |
| funny or witty. | | | | to greet me- right into a moving car! Thank Heaven, |
| 1. It builds self esteem. Let's face it; expect for messing | | | | nothing happened to him but it was very close. |
| around with a computer there are very few things that | | | | We brought him to the hospital and after we got a |
| a child can do as good as their parents. No matter | | | | positive report my 16 year old boy said jokingly, |
| how good they play the flute, draw, or play ball it | | | | "Daddy, I can't believe anybody can be so excited to |
| usually isn't on the level of talented adults doing the | | | | see you!" I laughed and he laughed. |
| same thing. The compliments that they do receive for | | | | He might have "gotten me", but I taught him the |
| their accomplishments are usually "age appropriate" | | | | important lesson of how to lose. |
| However when it comes to wit and humor, even real | | | | Laughing is the best medicine for you, the one that |
| young children are equal or funnier than adults. When | | | | laughs, and also for the one who tried to be funny and |
| we laugh at their jokes we boost their self esteem. | | | | make you laugh. Use this important tool to be a better |
| 2. It makes them feel smart. When a teacher gives | | | | parent and to help your children. |