When we want our children to feel happy, we often think of buying them "stuff", taking them for strolls or doing something special for them in addition to other ways that would ultimately strengthen a consumptive pattern.
Even though such short cuts may indeed make them happy, the risk of capturing the concept of happiness only in receiving and consuming is also present.
When happiness is seen solely in receiving, ownership, purchasing or entertainment, it molds into a much narrower scale and becomes momentary, lasting for minutes or hours at best.
Whenever our children need a bigger "something" to instigate happiness, they would develop a demanding temperament by which others are always expected to give and give.
A happiness of this sort is often forged, as it is founded upon what a person can receive from others and is not rooted within one's self.
Real happiness is entrenched deep within a person's self and the act of giving is a door we often by pass in our quest to find happiness.
The act of giving reinforces a person's self worth and sense of satisfaction which are much needed sentiments.
Should we work towards reinforcing such sentiments within our children, we naturally set them to lead a happy life that is brought about by them, and enable them to spread happiness in their surroundings.
Further, the act of giving strengthens the humane values that they hold in addition to their self esteem and gives their personality a fine polish.
A study conducted by Harvard University covering up to 30,000 families; showed that individuals who allocate their time, money or attention to others are 43% happier and more content with their lives.
This is attributed to chemical interactions taking place in the brain.
The human body reportedly produces Endorphin upon giving; this boosts energy and rapture levels and stimulatingly reduces sadness and anxiety.
The study also shows that the act of giving can take different forms, it is not limited to money, blood donations or helping the needy but it also incorporates spending one's personal time which is among an individual's most precious possessions for other's benefit, a genuine greeting or even giving directions to a stranger.
Mainstreaming the act of giving into the family culture is an effective way to reinforce it among children, thus rendering our families happier, livelier, more content and vivacious.
A number of families shared their experiences in mainstreaming the act of giving into their daily lives:

• I acquired the habit of leaving the house early morning with my children to give the cleaners some food.
  At first my children were hesitant and expressed their concerns that this may take time and it will cause them to be late to school.
  However, as days passed by they started to enjoy it and insisted on handing over the food themselves.
  
• Every year, I celebrate my son's birthday and host a party for him and his friends.
  This year I did the same thing but I added one element, I told him that we as a family want his birthday to be a day of happiness to other children as well.
  I invited some of his close friends and we all took cake and toys to a local children's hospital.
  
• I wanted my children to be more concerned and giving towards others, I wanted to show them that this simple act is effortless; we agreed that we would pray for the first person we see on our way, this time became one of the most exciting times for our family, were each one would invent a prayer and go creative.
  
• Each weekend, we gather as a family and select one person from our extended family, our friends or our neighbors to give him something simple; write him a card or simply make a phone call to let him know how dear he is to us.
  
• I wanted my daughter to understand the feeling of giving.
  However; I wasn't sure what would suit her.
  I saw an opportunity when my neighbor shared with me that her daughter (five years old) is weak in math.
  I suggested to my daughter to help her and she agreed.
  Following the first lesson, she was warmly thanked and appreciated, she responded well to that and she has been allocating three hours a week to help children in both math and science ever since.
  

The act of giving in all its forms is a door to true happiness, however small our offering may be, it has an immense effect on the children and on the family as a unit.
Let us help our children give other individuals and contribute to their society.