Practicing Gratitude With Kids

Every year at this time my family and I start our daily gratitude practices. I like to use this time to think about all the ways we have been blessed and list out all of the things we have to be thankful for. It is important to do this with my kids, especially in a season that can be focused heavily on how busy we are and the gifts that we want. Research has shown that practicing gratitude each day will significantly increase your health and happiness.

Today I am sharing how you can start practicing gratitude with kids.

this post contains affiliate links.

PRACTICING GRATITUDE WITH KIDS

letter board | mini pumpkins | metallic sharpies

Each night we all write down one thing we are thankful for. This can be something big like family, friends, our church, or our home. Or it can be something small like iced coffee, a fun party we get to go to, or an awesome parking spot we scored earlier. Whatever it is you are thankful for that day, write it down. Try to be specific and write something different each day. Of course, we are thankful for our family but maybe your son took out the trash without you asking- write that down. Maybe your husband knew you had a busy day and he sent you an encouraging text message in the middle of the day- write that down. Finding new things to be grateful for each day will stretch us to make us look beyond the easy, obvious answers.

Talk about what each of you wrote down. Why was that special to you? What did that mean to you and how did it make you feel?

Of course, this is not something that can only be done during the holiday season. I try to practice daily gratitude each morning as part of my personal morning routine.

Starting this activity with your family is a great way to make practicing gratitude a daily habit. The more you do it, the more you will realize there are so many things to be grateful for each and every day.

Even in the midst of big life challenges, we can find things to be grateful for.

NOW ITS YOUR TURN!

Do you and your family have a special way that you celebrate the holiday season? Have you started practicing gratitude with kids? Share with me in the comments below!

Photos by: Megan Higgins Photography