I think that thankfulness is something that can be learned. I have not always done the best job teaching my kids to have thankful hearts and attitudes, but I am working on it! Sometimes it is a simple activity that makes a difference with kids. This concrete lesson in thankfulness for kids will have an impact!
Concrete Lesson in Thankfulness for Kids
Recently one of my younger children was having a big pity party when she didn't get her way. She wanted to have a friend over and that friend couldn't come…neither could a few other friends. Big deal, right?
Well, she thought it was a huge deal….tears ensued, complaining commenced….suddenly she had the WORST. LIFE. EVER.
I sat there and tried to reason with her to no avail. I really wanted my child to see that the disappointment she was feeling didn't mean her life stunk. A new approach was in order!
This was a very SIMPLE exercise…..I got her a paper and pen and made her sit down and write out things she was thankful for. She grudgingly started her list….1. Mom 2. Dad 3. Brother & Sisters 4. House.
It started off pretty basic. After she got to 6 or 7 items she said she was done.
Help Kids Realize What They are Thankful For
I looked her list over and said to keep working. I wanted her to think outside the normal box of thankfulness. She started to really concentrate and kept writing.
I went to do some other things….close to an hour later she came and showed me her new list. She had written close to 50 things she was thankful for.
She had put a lot of thought into the list….it was a wonderful list, especially for someone her age! I did have to chuckle at the way she spelled some words. 🙂
The kicker was that she had forgotten all about her big disappointment and her tears. She was in a great mood the rest of the evening. It really made me remember that thankfulness can brighten any day!
A Simple Lesson in Thankfulness Worked
This was a simple, but concrete lesson for my child. It helped her take the focus off what she DIDN'T have and put it back on what she DID have. Who would have thought that writing our blessings down could be so powerful.
Free Printable “I am Thankful” Worksheet for Kids
I figured this was a lesson we will be having on a regular basis at my house. So why not have a cute printable to use?? Plus these are great to scrapbook too!
You can download a copy to use with your kids too! Just click here to download: Concrete Lesson in Thankfulness Printable
What lessons in thankfulness have you been able to teach your kids or even yourself? I would love to hear about them!
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What a sweet lesson!