A simple gratitude routine can change the entire energy throughout your home. Practicing gratitude isn’t one of the common parenting tips you hear everyday. In fact, it’s one of those concepts that we all neglect to mention and practice—no matter our age. Why is it that something so simple and intentional is thrown to the wayside? We live in such a fast-paced culture—if I had to guess why gratitude is forgotten, it’s because we’re too busy moving on to the next thing before we can even find gratitude in our current moments.
Needless to say, we need to incorporate more gratitude into our daily lives. It’s essential we raise our children up in a world where gratitude matters. Not only does gratitude have scientifically proven benefits but it also teaches our children to focus on the good and see the good in all things, no matter the circumstances ahead.
Why 2021 Is The Perfect Time to Start Practicing Gratitude With Your Kids
Our children have witnessed how hateful, negative, and scary the world can be. There have been a lot of things that haven’t made sense this year. Explaining a global pandemic to a child is something no one can prepare you for—why can’t I see my friends? Why can’t I hug my grandparents? Why can’t we go to the community park anymore?
I know this has been a very difficult time for parents of all ages, but think about being a kid during this time? You talk about confusing…
Let's Be Better In All Aspects in 2021
As much as I hope the new year will bring big change for all of us, everything that’s happened isn’t going to magically disappear come January 1st. That’s why it’s so important we get intentional with our children now and create healthy habits like showing gratitude, even when it may be hard to see the good in certain situations.
During this time, it’s easy to focus on the things we can no longer do but why don’t we try to encourage our children to find joy in the things they can do?
Feelings of confusion and anger are justified during this time, but no good comes from dwelling on it! There are still many joys in this life that need to be embraced now more than ever before. It’s our job as parents to ensure our children see the good in the world and be representations of it, so we can move into a better tomorrow.
Ways You Can Practice Gratitude with Kids
The best thing about taking up this practice is that it doesn’t require much effort. It’s really just a matter of being intentional with every given moment.
Here are a few different ways you can practice gratitude with your children right at home:
1️⃣ While sitting down for dinner, take a moment to allow everyone at the table to share one thing they are thankful for.
This is a very simple way to introduce gratitude into your daily life and build a tradition around it. It may come easy at first but it will get harder to come up with new reasons you’re grateful for over time. If your child is having a hard time coming up with a new reason they’re grateful, try helping them discover a new, recent reasoning. It can be something as small as, “I’m grateful for waking up this morning” or something as random as “I’m grateful that I have my own bedroom.” This allows you to open your kids' awareness of how blessed they really are and how the little things are just as important and significant as the bigger things in life. There’s always something to be grateful for.
2️⃣ Encourage your kids to tell someone else why they are grateful for them.
If you want to make someone’s day, have your child share why they’re grateful for that specific person. There are a number of ways you can do this! A simple “I love you and thanks for all you do for me” to Grandma is sure to bring on the tears or if you want something that requires a little more thought, have your child make a homemade card to someone of their choice that they appreciate. In the card, they have to share why they are grateful for that person and deliver it themselves! This simple act not only will make the recipient’s day, but it will teach your child the power of their own actions and how it can affect people negatively or positively. Your child will feel good about doing good and want to do it more often! Building healthy habits. ❤️
3️⃣ Keep a gratitude journal and have your children write out three things they’re grateful for every single day.
Last but not least, there is power in writing things out. Not only can physically writing out gratitude make you happier, but it also allows you to keep track of your gratitude over time. What’s the next best thing you can do besides share your gratitude? Reflect on it!
Practice Gratitude in Your Home
With these simple tips, you can start practicing gratitude right now. Don’t wait until 2021 is here; start now, so you can be well on your way at creating a grateful energy throughout your home that is sure to be contagious to everyone who enters. ❤️ Take that, #COVID!
