Gratitude is one of the best ways I’ve found to combat worry. Choosing gratitude has helped me through some challenging times, and I want my kids to know the value of practicing gratitude too.
One simple thing we do daily is share a few things we’re thankful for while sitting down to breakfast. When we first started doing this last fall, the answer for several weeks was consistently, “barbies and sunshine and Jesus!” It was always in that order too, and we’re still working on it. ;)
After we share at least one thing we’re thankful for, we pray and thank God for those things. It’s such a good way to start the day!
Here are a few other ideas that you could use to practice gratitude with your family:
1. Make a thankfulness poster. Write or draw pictures of things you’re thankful for. Decorate it and hang it up somewhere so you see it often!
2. Write a thank you note for someone. We don’t have to reserve thank you notes for gifts only! Thank someone for what they mean to you. Or send a note to an essential worker you’re especially grateful for.
3. Create a gratitude jar. Keep slips of paper next to it, and encourage everyone to write down (or write for them) different things they are thankful for each day, and then put it in the jar. At the end of the week, read the gratitude notes together!
Let’s have fun and be grateful!
