Who doesnt want kids who recognize all the good things in life and express gratitude for them?
Dont feel bad if your kid is self-absorbed; Pressman says they are meant to be.
Pressman recommends a morning and evening gratitude check-in.
In the morning, say one of these phrases to yourself:
Ill say thank you to someone today.
Ill show appreciation to someone today.
When someone helps me today, Ill feel a sense of thankfulness.
Ill notice three people or things I feel lucky to have in my life today.
In the evenings, ask yourself:
Did I say thank you to someone today?
Did I show appreciation to someone today?
When someone helped me, did I feel a sense of thankfulness today?
Did I notice three people or things I feel lucky to have in my life today?
Infants
Set an example.
Your tiny baby isnt really going to understand gratitude, but its not too early to start modeling.
Pressman recommends naming three things about your baby that delight you.
Preschoolers
Play “rose, bud, thorn.”
Try this activity at dinner time or another time when your family gathers most days.
One of the parents I work with likes to add a feathersomething that made them laugh.
Were allowed to be grateful even as we feel the whole range of emotions that humans experience.
Elementary school age
Create a family gratitude journal.
you’ve got the option to also set up an allowance jar for each child.
If your kids get an allowance, have them divide their money to give, save, or spend.
Giving bolsters the givers, as well as the receivers, sense of gratefulness, Pressman wrote.
This is very special to me.
Instilling gratitude, like so much of parenting, is all about playing the long game, Pressman wrote.
Expressing gratitude starts with saying thank you, even if children dont quite get why adults appreciate the expression.
Gratitude remains a work in progress throughout childhood and adolescence.
