Can You Say “Thank You”?

One of the first things we teach our kids as soon as they learn to speak is to say, "Thank you." Think of the countless times you have said, "What do you say?..." to prompt your child to utter these words. But do our kids really have any idea what it means to be thankful?

Practicing gratitude has benefits that go far beyond having a polite kid. Studies show that people who practice gratitude feel 25% happier, are more likely to be kind and helpful to others, are more enthusiastic, interested and determined, and the benefits for our kids are equally as impressive.

So how can families practice gratitude in meaningful ways? Here are a few ideas.

3 Ideas For Incorporating the Practice of Gratitude Into Your Day

1. Express your appreciation for each other.
   
   In my house we started daily gratitude at the dinner table. We go around and take turns saying what we are grateful for. We go around so that everyone has a chance to state at least 5 gratitudes. And here’s the kicker! No repeats!!! At first this seems almost impossible - especially if you have teenagers! You may get some eye-rolling in the beginning. This feeling of impossibility quickly subsides when you make gratitude a habit. Suddenly, you begin to go through your day searching for the good and finding the gratitude all day long, knowing that you will have to state your 5 gratitudes at dinner that night.
   
   
2. Make a gratitude jar.
   
   This can be a fun project for kids. Find a container and let the kids decorate it. Cut out some pieces of scratch paper and put them in a convenient place so that family members can write down things they feel grateful for and place the paper in the jar. If kids can't yet write then having them draw a picture of something works great too! Then, open the jar once a week or once a month and read what everyone has written. I’ve been amazed at not only what is written between family members, but also the long lasting, positive effects this has had on our relationships, especially between my children.
   
   
3. Make it part of your bedtime routine.
   
   Take a few minutes at the end of each day to show appreciation for the little things in your life for which you are thankful. Write your thoughts in a gratitude journal, or ask your kids to tell you three things they are thankful for before they go to bed. Try to think of one new thing each day – ideally something that happened that day.

As I write this, my mind takes me back to last weekend sitting on the back porch feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. Both of my adult boys (OK… men) are home and under one roof, playing catch with the football. Listening to their banter back and forth is heaven. The sun setting, the flames from the fire pit, grilling some salmon, a cool breeze. I could not BE more grateful (Yes.. that was a Friends reference).