Cultivate Gratitude in your Kids Through Daily Practice

Exercising Thankfulness is a Simple Way to Elevate Happiness for the Whole Family

A sense of gratitude is of top importance in the values my husband and I hold most dear. Purposeful parenting is always a priority for us, so we are careful to carve out space to consciously give thanks in our daily lives. Modeling gratitude ensures that we will teach our children the power of showing gratitude from a very young age. 

My all-time favorite family tradition is our Thanksgiving grateful practice. After the plates are full, we settle in for a word, or many words, of thanks from the leader of our tribe. After he sets the tone, we go around the dinner table and share what each family member is grateful for. That time of year, for our family, is a time of great reflection and most participants go deep. 

There are both tears and laughter during this exercise and the only expectation is that the expression of gratitude is authentic. It is easy to tell who’s had a particularly good, challenging or emotional year based on what surfaces. Since speaking requires a level of vulnerability, everyone is present and invested no matter where they fall on the emotional spectrum. Honestly, it’s one of the most beautiful things to witness and my cup runs over every time. 

This family tradition directly impacts where gratitude falls in the hierarchy of my value system. For this reason, I practice the grateful exercise with my four-year-old every night. Sometimes she’s more excited about it than others and she often just says, "I am grateful for you, mommy." This brings me great joy each time, but it’s also fun to pivot on occasion and play at mealtime when the energy is higher.

Recently, my nieces (ages six and eight) were visiting and we made practicing gratitude a part of family dinner.  Their contagious enthusiasm actively engaged each of us every time! It is such a simple concept but nurtures a sense of connection immediately. Additionally, it secures everyone’s full focus at the table while the kids learn how to express themselves.

It serves as an annual reminder that this tradition has a useful place in daily life. We must actively keep the practice fresh, especially during challenging times. Studies show that grateful people display increased levels of happiness. With that in mind, there is no better time than the present to teach our children to find gratitude in the little things.

Teaching gratitude to your children is not only an excellent, and important lesson, but it really is a gift to experience it with them. Please encourage your kids to exercise their thankfulness through The happyly Kids Writing Contest. The mission is to write a letter of gratitude to the places, activities, and people that make your town special.

Just because we have to physically distance from many places we enjoy doesn’t suggest we should emotionally disconnect from them. Writing thank you notes is an overall positive experience for children, it instills good manners, and prizes will be awarded to six grateful kids. As an added bonus, experiencing their creative vision will be sure to brighten your day!

— Published on April 8, 2020 in Thrive Global