What are the essentials of a happy childhood?

I do not believe that a child can make the difference. I think that children who grow in a home where they feel love, they have friends and support can be happy even with only one parent or parents of the same gender. I know many children who have two parents who fight every day and this is surely bad for them.

I don't think that a parent's gender can make or break their ability to be a loving parent. In my eyes a loving parent gives to their child from the heart and in their best interests not necessarily material goods, but praise and teaching them how to grow into a good person who will get along in society. When I worked full time I would give our son lots of toys, when I went to part time, I gave him lots of time, today, as an adult, he remembers the time that I gave to him and spent with him. And I do remember being happier as a parent then.

I firmly believed that a child should always feel loved and that means that adult parents have all the responsibility to ensure it by being around during their early childhood, tending to their needs, teaching them, play with them and most of all be an exemplary example to take upon on themselves. It is important to be able to do and fulfill as much as what you have mentioned here. There's no excuse since it is decided to bring them into this world. So parents should be prepared to sacrifice and make every effort here to bring up the child lovingly. As for single parenthood, I am never a supporter for such parenthood because it is very challenging and if one is not careful and considerate enough, the child could suffer immeasurable trauma and setbacks when there are many issues that are present in their surrounding circle of peers like where is their other half of the parent, how and who is responsible for their existence and so on.

I think a routine is vital and some structure is needed. Also stability. These things can make or break. I feel that love is important, but without the other factors I mentioned, it can lead to great difficulties in adult life.

If a child is loved, given positive reinforcement and taught to be a productive member of society, I don't think it matters what the actual parent or parents makeup is.

Parents' attention! Parents' bringing up. Also parents' background is important. As for the departure from the norm "Male +Female" it threatens to breach of child's development for sure.

I'm not sure I can claim to know (only in my mid-thirties here), but I think it's "continuity from childhood to adulthood to parenthood etc." In America, it seems like everything one does is done 'so that one can do something else in the future' (going to high-school so that one can go to college so that one can get a high-paying job so that one can support one's children as they do the same).

I think children need so much attention and affection from adult and people around them. I'm not sure about the same gender. As long as children feel appreciated, loved and we give them space to grow and fun, they will feel the meaning of joy

I guess it depends upon the person. For me, I can not say that I had a happy childhood but I was contented with what I had at that time. I would not exchange it to another cause I love my parents and my siblings.

we can't control the place where we are born. so it's hard to say. we can to some extent control where we are going. that's how the life is i guess.

Children should be loved and cared a lot. From the school days itself they should be practiced hard work, then only they can succeed in work. If they are allowed to enjoy a lot, they will be more repelled from hard work. But we should always love them a lot.

Unfortunately, ours was not a loving home, but I do know several single parent/same sexparent families, that do have very stable and much loved kids, and they do appear to find time to afford their offspring much quality time, often more so than the accepted family unit.

love in a happy home

Parents are always side, this shall be essential factor!

Spends quality time with them.

Love, acceptance and discipline are essential. I think that love pretty much covers everything. If you love your child, you would not harm them or ridicule them or allow them to do whatever they want. Support, freedom and structure are also important