The Happy Child with Matt Larson | POF65

We all want the best for our kids and in this day and age, we are bombarded with mixed messages, advice and studies that confuse us and complicate parenting.  What if you knew that parenting only came down to 2 issues, along with genetics, that impact long term wellbeing for your child?  These two “things” also impact the relationship with your kids AND your own wellbeing?  Through his studies with The Human Improvement Project, my guest, Matt Larson, explains what modern studies are revealing (through studying the way the brain responds while in an FMRI machine).  These studies are showing us whic parenting strategies work and don’t work.  We can see that if your child has a meltdown, that when we minimize their feelings it doesn't lead to calming, but, VALIDATING them DOES!  If you’re able to name the underlying emotions and why your child is feeling them, this is what helps your child calm and recover, and helps deepen your bond with your child.  In this episode, we talk about how important it is for our children to have deep bonds with their parents (just one or both).  Matt and his colleagues have found the most critical interactions we have with our kids is when they're upset. It's how we react to their upset that builds up or breaks down those bonds.  Listen in as we talk about the little things you can do to ensure the wellbeing of you and your children!    About Matt Larson Matt is a parenting/relationships researcher, technology entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. He spends most of his time on a non-profit initiative called the Human Improvement Project which distributes completely free, ad free, parenting and relationship apps (In Love While Parenting, The Happy Child) that are installed by over 100,000 parents each month in over 165 countries (15 languages). Previously, he was the executive chairman of TapInfluence a venture-backed Social Media company. Prior to TapInfluence, he was the Founder and CEO of Confio Software. Confio was the fastest growing company in the database tools market. It was acquired in 2013 by Solarwinds (NYSE: SWI) for $103M. He also founded a financial firm whose partners included a former U.S. Senate Majority Leader and a former U.S. House Majority Leader. Previously, Mr. Larson helped found an oil and gas technology company. In the span of a year, the company grew from four employees to over two hundred employees while raising over $110 million in venture capital. In 2012, Mr. Larson was named an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist. Mr. Larson holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Colorado where he graduated 1st in his class. He is a member of the Mensa Society. Mr. and Mrs. Larson operate a family foundation dedicated to reducing child exploitation. They have lobbied successfully for hundreds of millions in additional federal spending dedicated to this cause. www.humanimprovementproject.org   The Happy Child App is available in the App store and Google Play Store: https://hipapp.page.link/XktS   From the podcast: To download The Happy Child  App, Visit the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.     As discussed in the episode, keep these key things in mind:   Notice When your Child Upset. If your child feels unnoticed or invisible, it will diminish their wellbeing. Validate your Child's Emotions: Name their feelings and why they are having them – even if you don’t agree! Create Deep Bonds: using physical touch, affection, emotional validation and celebrating who they innately are. Emotional Safe Haven: Make your home a safe place to be at all times.  Let your kids know that they can come to you at any time they need help, made a mistake, are in trouble or