Thankful everyday

[MomOfDoubleJs]

I was reading an article lately about how to instill gratitude in our children, to teach them how to show thanks and appreciation in their lives and to over-come the sense of entitlement so many feel.  Not so surprisingly, the best way to teach your children gratitude was to show it yourself.

Here are the key points:

1.  Say thank you.  No matter how small the act of kindness or if the behavior is already expected, like picking up after themselves, tell your children "thank you" and let them know when they should say "thank you" in return.

2.  Teach them why they should be thankful.  Explain how their actions affect others, what it costs another to help them (even if it is only time), and that there are people in this world with far less.

3.  Make a conscious effort to appreciate your day.  Make a list or discuss with your kids what they were grateful for that day.

4.  Send thank you notes.  Sit down together and write thank you notes to friends and family for their love and support, not just for gifts. 

5.  Give of yourself.  Volunteer your time or find items in your home to donate to the less fortunate.  Have the kids help pick a charity to support with their time or money.  Before birthdays and holidays, have kids go through their books and toys, cleaning and fixing the ones they are ready to part with.

I am challenging myself to find five things everyday to be thankful for, to write thank you notes for Thanksgiving, to give more of myself to others and to show my children my gratitude everyday.

Today I am thankful for:

a husband who works long hours to support his family

two children who laugh more then cry

being able to afford the new glasses I need to see

a bright sunny day filled with cool breezes

the client who cancelled so I can spend more time with my family

 

What are you thankful for?

Please feel free to add your list of thanks, or start your own.

[Rhayn6]

Oct. 25, 2008 at 12:54 AM

Five things I am thankful fo....

A toddler who challenges my inner strength everyday

A sweet little baby who loves to cuddle

The Medela Lactina double breast pump

A husband who understands how to support me in the things I believe in

New friends! :)

This was a great idea. Thanks!

[MomOfDoubleJs]

Oct. 26, 2008 at 11:13 AM

Okay, already a day behind.  For 10/25 I am thankful for:

A husband who is happy to take the kids out on his own

Washers and dryers to help blast through the mountain of laundry

vinegar, baking soda, washing soda, borax, peroxide, ammonia . . . with you I can clean anything!

gravel under the kid's playground, it gets EVERYWHERE but protects my babies when they fall

A counter full of dirty dishes because they mean we ate well

(Original Poster)

[MomOfDoubleJs]

Oct. 27, 2008 at 11:56 AM

So, it is time to admit, I am always a day behind!

For 10/16, I am thankful for:

Quick Cure for fish to cure common Ick

Children who always want to help, even when it makes it harder

hands that are nimble enough and a mind creative enough to make the Christmas wreaths that pay for presents every year

Big Lots and their cheap furniture within our budget

nonsense songs that my children sing with happy voices

(Original Poster)

[MomOfDoubleJs]

Oct. 27, 2008 at 8:00 PM

For 10/27, I am thankful for:

Friends who are having a community garage sale soon!

WAY TOO MANY toys for my children

a son who is finally grasping the idea of giving to others

Vacuum cleaners with hose attachments

the luxury of being a SAHM so my kids can ALWAYS have someone here for them

(Original Poster)

[MomOfDoubleJs]

Oct. 28, 2008 at 7:15 PM

For 10/28, I am thankful for:

Friends who trade cleaning services (thanks Lindsay!)

Nap-time

My son, who would rather create his own costume then buy one at the store

Foaming hand-sanitizer from Bath and Body Works

Having a job that works around my schedule because I am my own boss

(Original Poster)

[MomOfDoubleJs]

Oct. 30, 2008 at 7:34 PM

For 10/29 &10/30, I am thankful for:

friends who support you no matter what

a husband who either answers or calls me right back, no matter how many times I call

being blessed with good food and having enough to share

not needing to sign-up for the Salvation Army Christmas relief like most of my son's class will

hearing "You're welcome" unprompted from my two-year old

Warm showers on cold mornings

My brother who asks what we want and need before buying gifts (I think it is very generous of him)

Excedrin Migraine

Being able to contribute financially to my family to ease my husband's burden

The unrelenting love of my family, in-laws included

(Original Poster)

[MomOfDoubleJs]

Nov. 1, 2008 at 11:37 AM

for 10/31:

family traditions that can carry on to my children

friends who let us know about fun family activities

going to bed early and catching up on some sleep

still being warm enough to go trick-or-treating (because not everyone has 90 degree weather at 7pm)

FINALLY breaking the 150 lb mark in my weightloss jouney

(Original Poster)

[MomOfDoubleJs]

Nov. 2, 2008 at 11:43 AM

for 11/1

For a husband who surprised me with flowers for no reason

the PS2 that survived over a year in our shed

spending time together as a family

cuddling in bed with my husband after the kids have gone to bed

waking up to happy children laughing through the house

(Original Poster)

[MomOfDoubleJs]

Nov. 2, 2008 at 8:47 PM

for 11/2, I am thankful for:

easy split pea soup on blustery days

black ink even when the color is gone

almost being caught up on the laundry

the store having one last box of filters in stock

as everyday, my family being safe, happy and healthy

(Original Poster)

[MomOfDoubleJs]

Nov. 3, 2008 at 9:12 PM

for 11/3, I am thankful for:

My inlaws buying the house next door

suppers made of left-overs

my new glasses being done

my kids playing nicely so I can work

unprompted neck-rubs from my hubby

(Original Poster)