Teach your kids to give thanks by modeling gratitude
We are entering the season of beautiful family rituals, gift giving and the expression of thanks.
Giving thanks — living in gratitude — is a practice that leads to greater happiness, and there is no better time of year than now to expand that practice in your family. The most powerful teacher for your children is what you model. Seeing you express thanks and live in gratitude is your child’s guide.
Here are a few ideas to introduce thankfulness as a family practice.
Create a gratitude jar. Family members can write down on a card at least one thing each day that they are thankful for and put it in the jar. At the end of the week, gather your family together and read the cards out loud.
Begin meals and end the day with gratitude. At the table and at bedtime, share one thing that each person is grateful for. It could be going to the dentist and having no cavities or receiving a card in the mail from someone you haven’t heard from in a while.
It could be leaving the house late and still making the bus, seeing snow gleaming on trees or hearing a friend say something kind.
When something challenging happens, look for the opportunity and share that with your children. If you are stuck in traffic, appreciate the chance to look around at the beautiful surroundings, think about a friend or plan what you will have for dinner.
Rather than time lost, it can be enriching time gained.
Give thanks!
Maggie Macaulay is the owner of Whole Hearted Parenting, offering coaching, courses and workshops. Contact her at 954-483-8021 or Maggie@WholeHeartedParenting.com. Visit her website, WholeHearted Parenting.com.