G is 7 now. My sweet little baby is 4 foot, 4 inches tall. I hardly recognize him sometimes. Lately, he’s been in a mood – quick to pout and generally morose.
As I focused in on him to ascertain what’s going on, I started hearing a surprising amount of negativity and complaining from the rest of the people in my household. We have a propensity to take our blessings for granted and hone in on what’s deficient.
I certainly know better than to have this grumpiness in my own home! I keep my own thoughts positive (most of the time) and demand joy for myself, but now it’s time to teach my son.
I’m going at this a couple of different ways, but my favorite is a new family tradition. At least once a day (at dinner time plus any other time I see grouchiness), everyone has to say three things that they’re grateful for. Big things, little things, doesn’t matter. My goal is to raise everyone’s awareness that we have a pretty amazing life.
In addition to building an understanding that most people are far less fortunate than we are, and my “quit your bitching” campaign, I’m hoping that making gratitude a habit will be as helpful for my family as it has been for me.
Tags: Gratitude, Kids, parenting
I TOTALLY validate your effort to focus G’s (along with your entire family’s) attention on the positive. But I’d also like to put in a plug for bitching. I only bitch to the people I care about most, and most of the time they know I just needed to bitch to someone. After that, I feel freer to tackle the challenge…and not bitch about it.
You’re right – I am SO writing a post about that! Thanks Dan!