Straw Poll results - What makes you happy?

Visitors to Home-Start's exhibit at the 2007 Welsh National Eisteddfod in Swansea were asked: what makes you happy? The results were compared with results from 2006 to look at changing attitudes to parenting and family life. See press release for results on the major changes, which were found amongst fathers' attitudes.

Multiples of the same responses are given after each quote.

Mothers' responses:

My children and seeing them happy +30
Time together +10
My family +8
Seeing them grow and develop +7
Spending time with my family, a child around +3
When (s)he smiles +3
Being a Mum +2
My family being healthy and happy are the most important things to me +2
Having some peace when the kids are in bed +2
Holidays +1
Lying on a beach with them +1
Eating out +1
Contentment +1
Going for walks and having time to myself
Having Spending lazy days with my family - they don't happen very often
When my children are happy - watching rugby having time together as a family and a couple
When the children are happy, days out ,time spent together
Children, days out, animals, sport
Spending time with my family, my job
Having my daughter, my life has changed
My kids, life and health
My daughter giving me a big hug and smile, her very silly sense of humour, listening to her and watching her do a role play of my activities
Hugs!!!
Talking to the children
Ffion saying she loves me
My little boy and my husband
Having my little girl around makes me more happy now she's an age when we can have good conversations
Feeling supported, being able to divide enough time to each child, children playing, being good
Time with the little one, time to myself
Walking on the beach
Simple things
Good health, no hassle, fresh air
Doing lots more new activities with children
Being in the community ( playgroup) enjoying them growing up ( 18 mths & 3 yrs.)
Pleasure is seeing them do things, my work, meal with friends
Jessica my daughter, my job - holistic therapist
Knowing my eldest is enjoying school life
Peace and quiet, well behaved boys, part time work
Getting a good nights sleep, when he behaves
Kids
When she sleeps, when she's happy
When they do something new
When they ask questions
Being able to play with my children, having time and energy
Watching my children playing and coming on really well
Sally, doing things with my family and able to go out
Enjoying being with children - new social life,
Making sure the children are healthy and happy
Being a parent
Children sleeping
Everything
A break from the kids, seeing friends with kids who play with mine

Fathers' responses:

Time with my children +7
Seeing the child(ren) happy +6
Family occasions +4
Watching my children grow up healthy and happy +3
Time as a family +3
Playing with my kids after work +2
Pride +2
Playing golf +1
Quality time as an adult +1
Watching them grow and learn +1
Being a parent +1
Seeing my children develop their own personalities/ traits
Doing things the children enjoy
My daughter
Seeing my wife and daughter happy
As long as my child is happy I'm happy
When my daughter is happy
Seeing my children doing things that make them happy
Watching my son grow up to be his own person
Helping the children through the Welsh language
Seeing the children learning through the Welsh language
Seeing her interact with other children
Camping
Music, pictures
Travelling
Hobbies
Food
Alcohol
Children playing football
No stress, sunny weather
Watching sport
Making a meal that children will eat
Giving and receiving love from children
Days out at the Eisteddfod
My family and my animals
When I haven't got to spend money
Having quiet time to myself
Less work time

Grandparents' responses

Grandchildren +6
Family +3
Days out with grandchildren +3
Seeing the grandchildren happy +3
Seeing them grow +2
Going on holidays +1
Spending time with friends and family +1
Since retirement have more time to spend with children and grandchildren +1
If my family are happy I'm happy +1
Family days out, swimming, patience
I like to have all my grandchildren around me
Seeing our grandchildren as often as possible and experience their growing up
The joy they bring - makes me feel good
My granddaughter
Children make you happy
Increasing their knowledge
Making things with the grandchildren
Revisiting places we enjoyed as children and finding they still prove enjoyable
Happiest when wife is content
Being with my husband
My partner
Life - having fun
Provide as many opportunities in life for family
Helping mother and "advising" - being supportive
Making sure that everything and everyone is OK
Being at the allotment
Playing with grandchildren, fun with words, humour
Playing games
Social life
money
Simple things make me happy

Unknown respondents

Seeing my children happy +10
Time with family +8
Seeing the children grow up +5
Having a fun day out with children +3
My children +2
Playing with the children +2
Everyone being healthy +1
Seeing the children learning and developing +1
Watching children growing up and learning and playing with other children +1
Watching the children progress through school +1
Pleasure watching children doing things - achievements +1
Lots of things with the boys
My family
Being with my son
My daughter
Pleasure of watching children learning new things - developing 2 languages Welsh and English
Pleasure looking after children rather than sending them to creche
Being able to spend time with my children without having to worry about my finances
Being able to watch my child grow up , take her paces and share precious moments as she learns - being there for her
Security, peacefulness, Christianity
Harmony in the household
Going to work for a change of scene and adult company
Work through school
Protective over children
Having health and healthy finances to enjoy children
Chance to relax
Playing sports
Proud of children
Time for children and myself - a balanced life
Time off work
Pleasure to have children - worth losing sleep
shopping
Seeing him smile (disabled child)
The children whatever they do - sport, music
everything

Sisters' responses

Being with children
Looking after my little brother
Being with my friend, boyfriend
Being with my little brother

Straw poll results from 2005

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