7 Secrets to Raising a Happy Child

Nice article at zenhabbits, getting right to it:

1. Let your child know you are excited to see them when they enter the room.
2. Teach your child it’s okay to be bored.
3. Limit your child’s media.
4. Let your child know they are more important than work.
5. Let your child make a few of the rules.
6. Teach your child - don’t assume it’s all happening outside the house.
7. Model appropriate behavior.

Full article is at: http://zenhabits.net/2009/06/7-secrets-to-raising-a-happy-child/

I would add a 8th one which is always listen to your child. Many times this has happened that my son was doing something and I said no with my own preconceived notions and he comes back with and answer that just surprises me and makes his actions totally valid. Kind of similar to this article - http://www.figarospeech.com/teach-a-kid-to-argue/