'Wag Laging Serious! Why Humor Matters in Raising Kids

Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Radio.
Radio who?

Radio or not, here I come!

Did that make you smile? Share it with your kid before you continue reading the rest of this article. Go ahead, I'll wait!

So, did you share it? And did your little one find it funny? If you answered yes to both, congratulations—you may have just strengthened your bond with your child, at least according to a recent study.

Study Reveals Humor’s Positive Impact In Parenting

We've been underestimating mom and dad jokes, but it turns out they might just be your secret parenting superpower! Recent research shows that incorporating humor into your parenting style can have lasting positive effects on your kids. Yes, you read that right—laughter isn't just the best medicine; it might also be one of the best parenting tools!

A study by researchers from Penn State College of Medicine found that humor plays a significant role in building strong parent-child relationships. The researcher of the study titled, "Humor in parenting: Does it have a role?",  conducted a pilot survey of 312 adults aged 18 to 45. Over half of them recalled being raised in households where humor was part of daily life.

In the study, 72% of participants believed that humor could be an effective parenting tool. Best part? Many of those who grew up in humorous households mentioned they continue to have great relationships with their parents.

The research also found that over 44% of their kids believed their parents did a fantastic job raising them, and 50.5% confirmed they still enjoy a strong relationship with mom and dad today.

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Humorous parenting also has a ‘pay-it-forward’ effect. Most participants who grew up with humorous parents wanted to raise their children the same way. You’re not just creating a happy home; you’re potentially creating a legacy of joyful and well-adjusted future generations.

Dr. Benjamin Levi, study senior author, noted that humor not only helps in relieving stress but also promotes creative problem-solving and resilience.

“My hope is that people can learn to use humor as an effective parenting tool, not only to diffuse tension but develop resilience and cognitive and emotional flexibility in themselves and model it for their children,” said Levi. He's a professor of pediatrics and humanities at Penn State College of Medicine.

Lucy Emery, part of the study research team and a pediatrics resident at Boston Children’s Hospital, also says: “Humor can diffuse tension and create a better environment for both parents and kids, even in the most stressful situations.” And we all know, bilang parents, sa dami ng stressful situations na yan, you could definitely use a good laugh!

So How Do You Do It?

Here in the Philippines, we're no strangers to using humor to navigate life's ups and downs. Here are some way to incorporate humor in your parenting:

1. Be Spontaneous: Don't be afraid to share a joke or make funny faces. Spontaneous humor can break the monotony of a routine day.
2. Use Humor to Diffuse Tension: When things get heated, like during homework time or bedtime battles, a lighthearted joke can ease the tension and make everyone more cooperative.
3. Encourage Funny Storytelling: Engage your kids in funny storytelling sessions. Let them create their own comical scenarios. It boosts their creativity and gives everyone a good laugh.
4. Embrace Mistakes: Show your kids it's okay to make mistakes by laughing at your own blunders. This teaches them not to take life too seriously and to embrace imperfection.

To end here’s another knock, knock joke you can share with the whole family:
Who's there?
Ears.
Ears who?

‘Ears another knock knock joke for ya!

Happy laughing, Smart Parenting, fam! LOL