Someone trying to encourage her teenage daughter to use the gratitude journal, was concerned that the teenage would not want to try it. As we talked, I became aware that the teenage daughter enjoyed helping her mother with her younger child.
Bingo, her teenage daughter spends quiet time each night with her sibling. The teenager facilitates the conversation about things they BOTH were grateful for, and also what each of them did that day that was a kind act. They write in the journal together.
The mom told me that she has seen a remarkable difference in her teenager. She now looks for ways to be kind; and she loves being the guiding factor for her little sister's efforts.
Nice, don't you think??
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
How can you help, starting today?
Have you met children who do not seem to appreciate things? Have you met the ones that DO? Who would you rather spend time with? Who would you rather help?
Can your very own child benefit from help in this area? Or, is your child young enough that you can still help mold them into living a life a gratitude; appreciation; and kindness?
I believe parents; grandparents; friends; and caregivers can make a HUGE impact on our children's lives, but it does take YOUR involvement.
I WILL make an impact. I WILL find a support model for each level of a child's life. I AM asking for your help, and guaranteeing that while you help me, you WILL make a difference in the child's life you are thinking about right now. (and by the way, it will help YOU too.. we all can get better at this.. and it makes us feel SO GOOD the better we get!)
How do you start? Easy.
1. Buy a JOURNAL
2. Name it a GRATITUDE AND KINDNESS Journal (at some point, I may develop one for this)
3. Talk with the child about what they are grateful for today. Just a few minutes each day (probably before bed, but you can pick any time. For a teen, maybe a ride in a car, maybe over dinner, find YOUR best time. For a very small child, before bed sounds like it has worked best.)
4. If they get stuck, you could ask if they like their teacher; their home; if they feel good today; if they even HAVE a home to live in; If they have a great uncle or someone special. etc. Date the entry, and write it in the journal. Best if they write it by the way, if they are old enough)
5. Flip the journal over. Starting from the BACK of the journal, going forward, ask them what THEY did, no matter how small, that was kind, for someone else. If they don't know, suggest the smallest of things. Did they say thanks AND REALLY MEAN IT to someone? Did they tell someone they loved them. Did they help their brother or sister. Did they buy someone something (no matter how small) with thier own money? Find something...
6. Look for things with the child as days go on to appreciate, and drop little thoughts about ways to be kind to others. For example, if someone is sad, you might ask if the child any way they can show kindness. You might give a suggestion.
Don't go overboard. Just little things, over time. You might even share that you are helping with this program, if your child is a teen. They can have a leadership role in helping with this project. WOW, wouldn't you be proud??
If you do want to help me with this program, please keep us all updated so we can learn from your experiences. If it is personal, call me or write me a private note. If you don't want to share, then don't. Just help that child. It will help more than one. We all learn from each other, so believe that other children will learn from yours as they grow through this program.
I am working on a book (probably an e-book to start). If you talk to anyone; google great articles; find a teacher; psychologist; doctor; or concerned parent that wants to get involved, invite them to follow this blog and participate. ANY WAY THEY WANT.
I am sure there are MANY MANY MANY things we can do. Just starting to PAY ATTENTION to what we are (or should be) grateful for is a great start. You might want to start your own journal by the way. WOW, WHAT A GREAT EXAMPLE... (smile).
Read through this blog. There are other ideas you might pick up. Again, I will keep you updated, and hope you will update each other by following, and participating in this blog.
Thank you for caring, and for your efforts. Good luck!
Can your very own child benefit from help in this area? Or, is your child young enough that you can still help mold them into living a life a gratitude; appreciation; and kindness?
I believe parents; grandparents; friends; and caregivers can make a HUGE impact on our children's lives, but it does take YOUR involvement.
I WILL make an impact. I WILL find a support model for each level of a child's life. I AM asking for your help, and guaranteeing that while you help me, you WILL make a difference in the child's life you are thinking about right now. (and by the way, it will help YOU too.. we all can get better at this.. and it makes us feel SO GOOD the better we get!)
How do you start? Easy.
1. Buy a JOURNAL
2. Name it a GRATITUDE AND KINDNESS Journal (at some point, I may develop one for this)
3. Talk with the child about what they are grateful for today. Just a few minutes each day (probably before bed, but you can pick any time. For a teen, maybe a ride in a car, maybe over dinner, find YOUR best time. For a very small child, before bed sounds like it has worked best.)
4. If they get stuck, you could ask if they like their teacher; their home; if they feel good today; if they even HAVE a home to live in; If they have a great uncle or someone special. etc. Date the entry, and write it in the journal. Best if they write it by the way, if they are old enough)
5. Flip the journal over. Starting from the BACK of the journal, going forward, ask them what THEY did, no matter how small, that was kind, for someone else. If they don't know, suggest the smallest of things. Did they say thanks AND REALLY MEAN IT to someone? Did they tell someone they loved them. Did they help their brother or sister. Did they buy someone something (no matter how small) with thier own money? Find something...
6. Look for things with the child as days go on to appreciate, and drop little thoughts about ways to be kind to others. For example, if someone is sad, you might ask if the child any way they can show kindness. You might give a suggestion.
Don't go overboard. Just little things, over time. You might even share that you are helping with this program, if your child is a teen. They can have a leadership role in helping with this project. WOW, wouldn't you be proud??
If you do want to help me with this program, please keep us all updated so we can learn from your experiences. If it is personal, call me or write me a private note. If you don't want to share, then don't. Just help that child. It will help more than one. We all learn from each other, so believe that other children will learn from yours as they grow through this program.
I am working on a book (probably an e-book to start). If you talk to anyone; google great articles; find a teacher; psychologist; doctor; or concerned parent that wants to get involved, invite them to follow this blog and participate. ANY WAY THEY WANT.
I am sure there are MANY MANY MANY things we can do. Just starting to PAY ATTENTION to what we are (or should be) grateful for is a great start. You might want to start your own journal by the way. WOW, WHAT A GREAT EXAMPLE... (smile).
Read through this blog. There are other ideas you might pick up. Again, I will keep you updated, and hope you will update each other by following, and participating in this blog.
Thank you for caring, and for your efforts. Good luck!
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