Get Them Started While They're Young

As many of you know, being a full time Nanny has been my occupation for the past several years. Recently, after reading the article linked to my previous blog post, I was confronted with the embarrassing fact that in all those months of journaling my blessings, I had never shared the idea with my children, nor did I encourage them to start making their own list. 

Though incredibly blessed with perhaps more indulgences than needed, their mother and I had often discussed the fact that, like most children, they could be rather unappreciative at times. When I read the article on ways to encourage an “attitude of gratitude” in our children, I was stumped as to why I had never thought of doing this before!   

So this week I purchased two note books, uniquely suited to their personality, wrote their names inside the cover flap along with the reminder to “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done”, and we immediately got started with the challenge to write five blessings at the end of each day. They took to it immediately and I have been so impressed and encouraged by some of the things they have recorded.  I’ll just share a few:

Parker and Piper, ages 6 & 4

 Parker:

1. Thank you, God for letting Robin play my favorite game, shooting targets.

2. I am thankful for God creating us and giving us a heart so we can love each other.

3. I am thankful that God lets our mommy & daddy buy me stuff & for all the toys I have & for God letting me give them (mom & dad) special gifts for holidays.

4. Thank you, God for my macaroni and beef for lunch.

5. Thank you for Robin helps us make a special card for mom and dad’s anniversary and that I can remember those things in my brain and then say it in a good sentence.

Piper, age 4:

1. Thank you that we love our God, that He’s a fun God, & I always love Him & hope He has a good day in heaven.

2. Thank you for Robin, helps us close our eyes and take naps. 

3. Thank you for my teacher not make me take naps and I love her so much.

4. Thank you for my two kitties. They kinda bite & scratch but you can get better.

5. Thank you for mommy & daddy make good food and thank you for the goodest soup for lunch.

How cute is that?!  I hope this inspires you to get your children started on their own “Thankfulness Journals”. If you’re consistent, before long you’ll begin to see positive results in their attitudes.  They may surprise you by how much they are thankful for but simply forgot to put into words at the moment it occurred.  As a parent or childcare giver, it’s always a blessing to know that your children do appreciate and acknowledge the things you do or have provided for them.  They just need to be reminded to articulate their thankfulness daily so that it becomes a habit throughout the rest of life.

So what are some things that you are thankful for this week?  Do you have any ideas as to how to encourage an attitude of gratitude?  Please hit the “comment” button and share with us! It’s always a blessing to hear from you.