In this getting season, here are four ways to inspire gratitude in your kids

Many of my conversations recently have revolved around holiday plans, Christmas lists and recipes. We are already anticipating the hustle and bustle of the season and my almost-four-year-old daughter seems to add something to her “need” list every day. It feels like Halloween was over before it started and celebrating Thanksgiving has become an afterthought.

Don’t ask me why, but my husband and I went to the mall on Saturday and it might as well have been the weekend before Christmas. I needed to make a bathroom stop, but the line was wrapped around the hall, a good 20-minute wait. Nope. I have never been a mall-shopper, but I was shocked to see so many people. We had to walk fast to avoid people rushing by and shoving us out of the way.

When did the holiday season become so overwhelming and chaotic?

At Kids Mindful Movement, we have decided to reclaim gratitude. By noticing and appreciating versus wanting and wishing, we begin to fully embrace the moment and become more mindful. Take these tips home with you to share with your children this season to transform your family’s approach to the holidays.

Each night before we go to bed, my daughter draws what she is thankful for on a small slip of paper and places it into a gratitude envelope. Sometimes it is princesses, dragons or pizza. Other times it is her good friend or her sister. When she is having a tough day, we go upstairs and pull out the envelope and recount what brings her joy. You can do this with a gratitude journal or jar as well.

In our Pittsboro studio, we created gratitude garland with construction-paper leaves hung on burlap twine. The students drew or wrote what they were grateful for, one blessing on each leaf. We celebrate the season by looking at all that we have to be grateful for as it hangs on our mantle.

A teacher of ours came up with the awesome idea for gratitude rocks. Each student wrote “I am grateful for…” on their rock, then decorated it. They can carry these rocks in their pocket and when they feel angry, upset, or uneasy, they can grab a hold of the rock and remember what they are thankful for.

In addition to talking about wish-lists and schedules, make time to talk about gratitude. Here are some conversation starters: