Gratefulness Can Grow Into Thankfulness When We Share It With Others by Pepi Silverman

In a time in our society when the world is filled with "bad news," we can guide our children to feel grateful and that "gratefulness" can grow into "thankfulness." We all have experienced moments in which we are struck by an instance of tremendous beauty; whether it is a starry night, an unexpected encounter with nature or a personal experience that takes our breath away, that “moment” brings a sense of awe for something greater than ourselves. When that experience takes us beyond ourselves, “thankfulness” begins. Parents can help children connect to those powerful feelings by sharing their own personal experiences: 

• The beauty of the first snow can grow to a family experience of building a snowman.
• The smell of cinnamon rolls flowing from the kitchen to a shared family breakfast.
• The warmth of a fire can become an evening of s’mores and stories around the hearth.
• A beautiful table setting for a gathering can become a shared memory of a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Help children connect with their own moments of joy and guide them into sharing those feelings and experiencing thankfulness.