Being Grateful makes us feel good and it can have a big effect on your life if you practice it regularly.
How can you bring this into your life and instill gratitude in your kids?
Gratitude Can:
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Boost your ability to learn
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People who feel grateful are often happier, less stressed and less depressed. It’s like looking at the glass half full. Focus on what you do have vs what you don’t have.
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When you regularly express gratitude or thank others for their kindness, they’re more likely to be thoughtful again. It’s a positive cycle of goodness.
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When you feel and express gratitude to others in your life, it creates more loving bonds. It also helps you build trust and feel closer to those around you.
Some Ways to Bring Gratitude into Your life and Your Kids:
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Say Thank You Often – Look for reasons to thank people and do it often. This helps you feel more grateful and it makes them feel good too.
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A Gratitude Journal – Write about positive things you’re grateful for. After doing this for awhile you’ll start to find more positivity in all areas of your life.
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Make a Gratitude Jar (this is especially great for the kids) – Decorate a jar or box and have all family members put in slips of paper of things they’re grateful for. Keep it somewhere centrally located where everyone can see.
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Family Meetings Gratitude Moment – Add a “Gratitude Moment” during your family meeting. Let everyone have a turn to talk about 1 thing they’re grateful for.
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Letter of Gratitude – Write a letter to a person that you’re feeling good about, or particularly appreciate. If you notice your child is talking about someone in a positive way, a grandparent, a teacher, or maybe a friend, you can suggest writing a letter of gratitude. It helps you and them appreciate the important people in their life.
