After reading about the importance of practicing gratitude, I purchased four small spiral notebooks, one for each member of my family. I shared my idea of writing down and sharing the things we were grateful for from time to time.
Unfortunately, my family didn’t share my enthusiasm for the idea. My youngest daughter, who was about six at the time, thought it sounded like a lot of work. She was just learning to write, so keeping a gratitude journal felt hard. But she agreed to the idea if she could draw in her notebook instead. My husband and other daughter agreed too, but barely.
We spent a few minutes writing gratitudes and anyone who wanted to share could. I don’t remember what was said, but I do remember feeling mild resistance around the table. So I tucked the journals in a drawer.
Cultivating a Grateful Family
Every couple of months, I’d find the journals again and bring them to dinner. Over the years, my family has grown to really enjoy this practice. These discussions help us focus on the positive things in our lives and count our many blessings. My kids love reviewing their older entries and sharing the changes they’ve seen in themselves.
It’s been a while since we’ve practiced gratitude, so for the month of November, we’re going to try to have a gratitude discussion once a week. We thought it would be a perfect way to prepare for Thanksgiving. If your family has a gratitude practice….please share!
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
-Albert Einstein
Articles About Gratitude Practice:
Psychology Today – 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude
Greater Good Magazine – How Gratitude Changes You and Your Brain
Ground Rules to Support Family Dinner Connection and Conversations
- Make the dinner table a safe space. Practice respectful listening. Do not make fun or embarrass anyone about what they share. (This rule has grown into a house rule too.)
- Turn off and put away devices. Make the dinner table a no phone, tablet, or TV zone.
- Make the conversations fun, especially as you get started. (Later, families may delve into more serious topics and discussions.)
- Choosing not to respond is okay. Allow family members just to listen if they prefer not to share.
- To start, introduce just one topic at each dinner. From there, decide what works best for your family.
About Jessica Speer:
Jessica Speer is the award-winning author of books for kids and teens, including The Phone Book – Stay Safe, Be Smart, and Make the World Better with the Powerful Device in Your Hand, BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships and Middle School – Safety Goggles Advised.
Blending social science, stories, and activities, her writing guides readers through tricky stuff that surfaces during childhood and adolescence. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences and has a knack for writing about complex topics in a way that connects with kids and teens. Jessica regularly contributes to media outlets on content related to kids, parenting, friendship, screens, and social-emotional learning. For more information, visit .JessicaSpeer.com