May 23, 2020

Quote of the Week

"This is a wonderful day, I've never seen this one before." - Maya Angelou

Helping Kids Think About The Good

"A lot of us who are sheltering at home right now are doing so with our children. Maybe we’re homeschooling, trying to get our own work done, striving to maintain structure, it’s not easy. We’re helping our kids navigate their emotions while processing our own.  So we’re exploring a practice we can do with the children in our lives, to help deal with stress and provide an anchor in the midst of the huge life changes they’re experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic. [...]

One reason it’s so important to start cultivating gratitude early on with children is we know it brings important benefits later in life—better heart health, lower stress, stronger relationships. Overall, giving thanks makes us happier." [tune into podcast]

Reading Corner

Title: God Gave Us Thankful Hearts
By: Lisa Tawn Bergren
Age: 4+

"Adventurous Lil Pup is bummed that hibernating season will soon be coming to the Great North Woods. Why should so many of his friends have to go in for the winter and leave Lil Pup without pals? Mama reminds her little wolf that not all animals hibernate, and how he can be grateful for the beautiful autumn season – for jumping in leaf piles, eating apple treats, and celebrating the wonders of fall with his forest friends. And she points out… “I think the trick to having a thankful heart is thinking about the things that make us happy, rather than the things that don’t.”   -- Publishers

Be the Change

As the article inspires, "If there is a moment that captures a kid’s interest, just ask them, “What’s so wonderful about this? Why did this thing happen to you?” And that moment will be different for each family: a walk in nature, a homemade fort, a favorite game. It’s about trying to find that tiny bit of openness just to reflect on, “Why did this great thing happen to you? Who helped to make it possible?” And of course, that’s something we can do for ourselves too. If we can open ourselves up to whatever those little moments are that are just happening all the time, we don’t necessarily have to make extra time for gratitude."

Take a moment to reflect on what has been the highlight of your family's story of gratitude through these past few weeks?