When things got tense between the kids in my house, my dad sometimes sat beside us to talk through our feelings and resolve conflict. Other times, he would start a food fight at dinner or scoop us up for a group jump into the backyard pool. It turns out, humor like that may be an important skill in parenting, according to new research.
Researchers surveyed about 300 people regarding their childhood experiences with or without humor. People raised by adults who used humor had a better view of their parents, were more likely to have a good relationship with them, and more likely to use similar parenting techniques, said Dr. Benjamin Levi of Pennsylvania State College of Medicine.
Using humor effectively with children.
Humor serves important functions in parenting, Levi said. It can diffuse sour moods and create bonds for better problem-solving. Humor promotes language skills, creative problem-solving, resilience, and helps kids cope with disappointment, noted Dr. Katie Hurley. However, humor should be used appropriately to avoid weaponizing or exploiting it, considering factors like the child's age and temperament.
