“One, two, cha, cha, cha… One, two, cha, cha, cha.” My father chanted this as he rhythmically pressed and released the accelerator, causing our massive family sedan to lurch forward and back. My father—a serious physicist who rarely acted silly—was completely out of character, "dancing the cha-cha" while my buddies laughed in the back seat. That playful memory remains etched in what I call my humor happenings—the collection of joyful moments that continue to shape how I see the world.

The Power of Humor in Parenting

Children may not remember every lesson we teach them, but they often remember how we made them feel. One of the simplest ways to create lasting positive memories is through humor.

We've all heard the claim that children laugh hundreds of times a day while adults laugh only a fraction as often. While the exact numbers are uncertain, one truth is clear: children laugh far more than adults. Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, many of us suppress our natural lightheartedness and playfulness. That matters because humor is much more than entertainment. Shared humor strengthens relationships, helps children cope with life's challenges, and creates a family atmosphere where everyone feels safer, closer, and more connected.

Humor is one of parenting's most powerful—and most overlooked—tools. It does far more than make children laugh; it helps shape how they think, feel, relate to others, and ultimately how they navigate life. Over more than four decades of clinical practice, teaching, and research, I........

© Psychology Today