Hi everyone! It’s Mandy (mother of 2 – a 5-year-old boy and a 1-year-old girl). I am blogging on Be the Difference, recapping some valuable tips from Empowering Kids With Character – The Show!
November is here and the theme is Gratitude! On the 1st, Maria gave us a practical way to practice gratitude, as a family, in just 5 minutes a day. You can watch the video here.
Maria encouraged us to take 5 minutes a day, as a family, and practice gratitude as a family. How? By taking time at the dinner table to each state at least 1 thing you’re grateful for that day. You can grab an inexpensive journal (I’ve listed several options, that Maria mentions in the video, below) to track your answers. Writing it down is a great way to then be able to come back and see all the ways your family is grateful. Maybe someone is having a hard time being thankful one day? Turn to the journal and remind them of all the great things they have in their life! Maria encouraged us to leave the journal on the table as a reminder to do this nightly.
Maria also mentioned an article she read that stated research has shown you can increase your immunity, lower your blood pressure, be seen as more compassionate and experience less loneliness – all from practicing more gratitude! Who knew that you could reap so many physical and mental benefits simply by being more grateful? Definitely worth the 5 minutes it takes to think about what you’re grateful for that day.
JOURNALS:
- 52 Lists For Happiness by Moorea Seal – Geared towards adults, this journal prompts you with 52 premade lists. (Ex: “List the way that someone you love would describe you”)
- Gratitude Journal for Kids (gender neutral Gratitude Journal here) –These journals make it easy for children to get involved and be able to write/draw what they are grateful for.
Remember that Maria alternates these videos between her author page and the private Empowering Kids with Character page, which provides more ideas on the monthly theme and also support from fellow parents and educators!
Don’t forget to add the EmpoweringKids With Character Flash Briefing on your Amazon Alexa app!