As a mother I’ve experienced difficult and sometimes painful moments when my kids have shown frustration with themselves, anxiety, and disappointment. I’ve spent so much time searching for and learning ways to improve my kids’ well-being and contentment.
One “anchor” that I’ve discovered has brought immense solace and resilience to my family–the practice of gratitude. When facing life’s challenges, taking a moment to think positively, even about small things, has been a transformative experience for my family and me. Anchoring our lives in gratitude has steered us towards greater optimism and patience with ourselves and during difficult situations.
Gratitude is one of the most important life skills your child should learn to improve their happiness.
I want to explore with you why gratitude is so important. Then, I’ll share with you some helpful tips that have worked for my kids and which have helped them start and keep a gratitude journal.
Expressing gratitude does more than just help you to be kind to yourself and others. It’s a state of mind, of resilience, and of appreciation for what’s around us and within us. Studies have repeatedly shown that gratitude can improve and strengthen your mental health, self-esteem, happiness, sleep, empathy, and social connections. Gratitude can also reduce stress, depression, and aggression.
So how can I encourage my child to start and keep a gratitude journal?
1. Lead By Example:
Children learn by observing. When you talk to children about what you are thankful for, your enthusiasm encourages your children to invite gratitude into their hearts. Share what you are grateful for during dinner or family time.
Write thankful notes to your child to express your love, appreciation, joy, and gratitude for being their parent, and make sure to write about how much you love their unique personality traits. Keep a letterbox to hold these notes, or hide them in their gratitude journal for them to find.
2. Positive Reinforcement:
Reward your child for small accomplishments with positive reinforcement. Show your appreciation for their gratitude journaling, and let them know how proud you are. A simple compliment like, “I noticed you writing in your gratitude journal this morning. That’s great!” lets the child know that their hard work is appreciated and valued. Not only does this encourage your child to practice gratitude, but it also helps them feel validated and connected to you, setting the tone for a strong parent-child bond.
3. Dynamic Pages:
Choose a journal with varied, dynamic pages that your kid can decorate, color, and draw in to make it uniquely theirs. In other words, if your child sees the same pages every day, they may get quickly bored and stop keeping their journal every day. Having diverse pages will encourage them to use their journal regularly. Eye-catching pages will draw their attention and turn the journal into a fun space for self-expression that encourages creativity, fosters open-mindedness, expands perspective and keeps their experience fresh and exciting.
4. Set a Routine:
Have your child set a regular time for journaling, like–before bed or after their morning shower– and instill in them the importance of consistency. This daily ritual will become a sacred time to focus on positivity, fostering emotional connection and well-being. Over time, an established routine will transform gratitude journaling from a boring task into a cherished ritual, reinforcing the significance of mindfulness and gratitude in your child’s life.
5. Adaptability to Mood:
Give your child the freedom to choose how they want to journal. Kids, like adults, experience a range of emotions, and having diverse pages allows them to express gratitude according to their changing moods. Whether they want to draw, write, or use stickers, having different journal page formats will spark creative ways of processing their changing moods. This approach helps children appreciate the richness and diversity of their experiences.
Starting a gratitude journal with your child will be a life-changing experience that will help them develop a positive and resilient approach to life.
I have been working hard over the past year to research, design, and develop a dynamic and engaging daily journal to help kids and teens cultivate Gratitude, Emotional Intelligence, and a Growth Mindset. I have a background in psychology, and I started developing it after seeing my children’s struggles with anxiety and negative self-talk. Many of the exercises in the journal are informed by research-backed Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy strategies.
Growth & Harmony Journal (for kids 8 and up)
Check out our journal (only $7.99). This journal is designed to teach kids Gratitude, a Growth Mindset, Emotional Intelligence, and Mindfulness.
We know it will be a valuable resource for helping your kids to recognize and resiliently manage their emotions daily. The book is targeted towards older kids (age 8+). This is something you can work with your child on, too! As adults, we must first begin our own journey of self-awareness to best guide our kids through life’s challenges.
If you find the book impactful, please leave us a review to help us reach even more children and families who can benefit from the journal’s vital lessons and exercises. Together, we can nurture the next generation’s emotional well-being and resilience.
