The Power of Prime

It's important to know that in order to define happiness, one must also define its reciprocal, otherwise, without a point of reference, you have nothing. If you want your child to know happiness, you must make them know unhappiness. Calibration. To know what hot is, you need to know cold, to know tranquility, you must know chaos, to know peace, you must know war. In order to achieve happiness, you must pursue unhappiness. It took me a long while to understand that my unhappy childhood was the greatest thing that ever happened to me because it gave me a great understanding of pain, and therefore a great understanding of happiness. My parents didn't harm me on purpose, but thankfully, when/if I craft younglings, I intend to parent purpusefully. Lol, just kidding...or am I? Hmm...

@Marik: Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. I agree that children benefit from understanding the full spectrum of life experiences.

At the same time, I'm not sure I fully agree about the relativity of happiness. Using your example, you don't actually need to know cold, to understand hot (e.g., a hot stove). Yes, I believe understanding both does provide perspective, but they are not required.

I do believe in the richness of life and that many essential lessons, as you suggest, are gained from knowing the "dark side" of life.

Certainly, alluding to your final comment, contemplation of a difficult life can motivate new parents to be thoughtful and purposeful parents (I believe one of the greatest gifts parents can give their children is not giving them their baggage!).

Happiness comes from understanding. Parents and teachers must understand how students think, and build from there using basic principles and logic. See "Teaching and Helping Students Think and Do Better" on amazon.