What Does Happy Sound Like?

The Happy Sound of My Girl Giggling

I had a really lovely afternoon with on my own with Beanie on the first Sunday of the Easter holidays, chatting, giggling and bonding. We went to the cinema, talked about what makes us happy, sad or angry. We really needed that because Beanie is really struggling to repress her anger at home at the moment. It is starting to have an impact on all of us, especially as I try to get everyone ready in the morning before school.

A Very Angry Little Girl

Sometimes, I am at the receiving end of her rage and I get called every name under the sun. Sometimes, Crevette is the victim of his little sister’s rage. He was hit on the head with a very large doll not long ago. Little sisters get sworn at, hissed at and I have to admit I am struggling more and more to keep my cool… I keep reminding myself it is a phase, and a lot of 6-year-old girls go through this kind of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde phase, but gosh…

How do you help them go from angry to happy?

When I am away from the bad behaviour and she is asleep, looking like a little angel, I find it easier to distance myself from it all and have a more objective idea of what might help. I think what she needs is a lot of love and attention and as much one-to-one time as possible.

Ten days ago, on the spur of the moment, I decided to book cinema tickets for the two of us to see Beauty and the Beast. We had a wonderful time chatting about things that make us happy or angry. Laughing all afternoon with my little girl made me think about what happiness sounds like.

My ‘Happy’ Sounds

To me,

‘Happy’ sounds like a baby’s giggles when you tickle their tummy.

‘Happy’ sounds like belly laughs with friends.

‘Happy’ sounds like my children softly whispering, “I love you Maman.”

‘Happy’ sounds like snow crunching under my feet as I step outside for the very first time after a snowy night.

‘Happy’ sounds like my children speaking French unprompted (a rare occurrence!).

‘Happy’ sounds like my coffee machine after a long night of interrupted sleep.

‘Happy’ sounds like my children laughing together.

‘Happy’ sounds like a morning without an alarm clock, waking up to the sound of the children giggling together as they are plotting to raid the snack cupboard.

‘Happy’ sounds like “Don’t Stop Me Now!” sung at the top of my voice when no one is listening.

‘Happy’ sounds like the wind on my face as I am gliding down my favourite slope in the Alps.

‘Happy’ sounds like the rain on the windows when I am indoors with a nice cup of tea.

‘Happy’ sounds like a family reunion. It is in France, spent eating all day and chatting, talking over each other, eating and laughing.

‘Happy’ sounds like the everyday, meaningless chit-chat between my children as they play ‘mummies and babies’ or shop keepers.

‘Happy’ sounds like my children frantically trying to open the door, shouting “Mummy, Mummy” when I come back home after being away for a few hours.

What does happiness sound like to you?

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