Foster a Sense of Humor and an Ability to Laugh with Others (and at Themselves)
Ever accidentally put the baby’s diaper on backwards, then realized it at the exact moment of a diaper blowout? Or found yourself singing ‘Wheels on the Bus’ in the shower—alone? If you’re ready to survive parenthood with sanity intact (or at least a sense of humor about losing it), learning to laugh with your kids—and at your own hot mess moments—is basically a parental superpower. Spoiler: your kid already thinks you’re hilarious, especially when you trip over your own shoelaces.
Laughter lowers stress hormones, boosts mood, and helps everyone’s brains release feel-good chemicals like endorphins and oxytocin. For kids, seeing you laugh at yourself teaches resilience, flexibility, and the life-changing skill of not taking setbacks (or yourself) too seriously. For parents, it’s basically free therapy and a way to bond with your child over shared silliness instead of shared meltdowns.
How to do it
Narrate your own goof-ups out loud and laugh at them. Use goofy voices for extra fun.
Make silly faces together in the mirror. Don’t worry if your toddler is the only one who appreciates your ‘surprised walrus’ impression.
Tell stories about your own childhood fails. Sharing your own mishaps helps your child see that everyone makes mistakes.
Watch or read age-appropriate funny things together. Laughter is more fun when it’s shared.
When your child messes up, model laughing it off and trying again. Avoid turning mistakes into lectures.
Celebrate every accidental rhyme, pun, or ‘dad joke’—no matter how groan-worthy. Enjoy the humor in everyday moments.
Key Tips:
- Don’t be afraid to be silly; your child will love your playful side.
- Use humor to build resilience and show that mistakes are part of learning.
- Make laughter a regular part of your routine to strengthen your bond.
