Teaching Our Kids to be Grateful

The Oxford Dictionary defines gratitude as “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” Psychology research shows that gratitude is associated with greater well-being by helping you build strong relationships, feel more positive emotions, deal with adversity and relish good experiences. 

So how can we be grateful this Thanksgiving month, and every month that follows? Here are some ideas for you and the kids in your life!

Say thank you. Say thanks to others for their friendship, their help, and the things they do that make you happy (making dinner, helping with homework). Say thank you to yourself for carrying on even when you are tired, for trying your best when times get hard.

Breathe. Take a deep breath and be thankful for the air you breathe and the nature around you.

Write a thank you note. Send a text, email or thank you card to someone who has made a positive impact on your life. Reach out to let them know instead of just thinking about it.

List your VIPs. Make a list of the very important people in your life. You may have one or you may have many. Be thankful they are in your life.

Gratitude jar. Ask family or friends to write down one thing or person they are grateful for – add everyone’s gratitude to a jar. Once filled, take out one piece of paper at a time and share.

Inside our gratitude jar this month, we are grateful for pumpkin activities from Montessori Academy of London (page 5), family meal ideas from Middlesex London Health Unit (page __), post-Thanksgiving dinner dance tips from Dance Extreme (page 2) and a Special Feature showing love to caregivers from Juli Henderson (page __).

Lastly – a reminder to enter your child’s photo in our 20th annual Captured Moments photo contest. They could appear on one of our upcoming covers! If you haven’t entered yet, you have until October 15th!

Wishing you an October full of thanksgiving.

With gratitude,

Sabina

 

 

Sabina Manji, a lifelong Londoner, is an irrepressible entrepreneur, mother of a wonderful son, and also a committed volunteer.