Moms of Tweens and Teens

  • Home
  • Workshops
    • Workshops
    • Member Login
  • Podcast
  • Store
    • Store
    • Gift Guides
  • Contact
    • Contact Me For Coaching
    • Speaking
    • Contact Me
    • Write For Moms of Tweens and Teens
  • About
    • My Story
    • You’re Not Crazy, You’re Not a Bad Parent, and No Your Teen Really Doesn’t Hate You
    • Resources
      • Support
      • Parenting Resources
      • Help for Troubled Teens
      • Substance Abuse and Addiction
      • Mental Health (Depression / Suicide)
      • Learning Challenges ADHD, Autism
  • Blog

4 Ways to Foster Gratitude in Our Kids During the Holidays and Beyond

November 23, 2020 By Mary Sterenberg and Kristie Sigler

23 Nov
Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
Reddit

teach teens gratitude

 

Not to be overly dramatic, but gratitude might be the most life-saving habit we can teach our kids. Gratitude can feel like a warm and fuzzy nice-to-have when in fact, loads of research shows that practicing gratitude literally changes the structure of the brain.

When we foster a sense of gratitude in our kids, we’re giving them the gifts of:

  • Stronger relationships and community
  • Empathy for others
  • Self-esteem
  • Optimism and satisfaction
  • Resilience
  • Better physical health

Whoa. If a vitamin listed these benefits on its packaging, we would line up as moms to grab a few bottles.

Though gratitude doesn’t come in capsule form, there are some easy things we can do as moms to foster a real sense of gratitude in our tweens and teens. We just need to be intentional about it.

  1.       Say thanks

I saw the best Halloween meme this year: “Moms at Halloween Be Like:  Did you say thank you? Stay off the grass! Wait for your brother! Only take one!” I laughed because I absolutely have yelled all of those things to my sugar-buzzed children over the years.

Most moms stay on top of encouraging younger kids to say please and thank you, but we can step this up with our tweens and teens because they can do more. This likely looks like thank you emails or (gasp!) hand-written thank you notes. Taking the time to stop long enough to say thanks in a tangible way helps kids reflect on WHY they’re grateful and bounces the good vibes back on them in the form of better attitudes.

Click Here

to find out how to put an end to arguing with your teen or tween!!

I teach at a large public university and hear from employers all the time that students applying for entry-level jobs almost never send hand-written thank you notes anymore – and that it makes an impression when they do. I save thank you emails from students in a folder labeled “Sunshine File,” but the hand-written notes on my bulletin board still win my heart.

Keep a stash of note cards and stamps in your house and look for times to lean on your kids to go that extra mile to write one out and stick it in the mail. They can thank a grandparent for a gift, thank a teacher or coach for some extra help, or even drop a note to a friend just because.

Look for opportunities to do the same yourself so your kids see your example. I try to keep a few cards in my purse so if inspiration strikes, I can write a few sentences and drop it right in the mail before I forget. I think the inspiration for this came from a former student who would leave job interviews and immediately sit in the lobby to write her thank you note and put it in the next mailbox she saw.

  1.       Write it down

As a former journalist and a communication professor, I’m a pretty big fan of the written word. Writing things down forces us to focus and gives us something tangible we can reflect on. Research shows this to be true, and my personal experience as a teacher and as a mom supports it.

Consider gifting a gratitude journal to your tween or teen with creative prompts, or setting a daily reminder in their phone to write down two things they’re grateful for.

It’s easy for us and our kids to get busy and pulled along by life – physically and emotionally. Pumping the brakes long enough to list reasons we’re grateful helps us notice the small, everyday things we might otherwise overlook and gain a little perspective.

A good friend of mine keeps a journal on her kitchen table so her family members can take turns adding to it. They number each new entry because seeing the number grow made such a big impact.

  1.       Help others

Tweens and teens focus a lot on themselves because they’re figuring out who they are and becoming more independent. This can become a slippery slope into a really selfish mindset. Gratitude forces us to look up and out – away from our own wants and problems. A tangible way to do this is to look for ways to help others, which makes us less likely to take things like our health and family for granted.

We can connect our tweens and teens with volunteer opportunities or even just encourage them to help neighbors or friends. The change of place – and see what others are facing or- can bring a much-needed change of perspective.

  1.   Keep it front and center

Placing gratitude triggers in key places can serve as good reminders to continually ask “What can I be grateful for in this moment?” Many small business retailers on Etsy sell beautiful wall sayings related to gratitude, or you can write or print a few gratitude quotes to post around the house (as a mom of tweens and teens, I recommend on the fridge and near any TVs). One of my favorite quotes is:

“Gratitude turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” – Melody Beattie 

You can also use a gratitude image as the background on a phone or laptop, or put a great quote on a simple, handmade bookmark. Seeing those visual cues in the moment when you most need the reminder makes a big impact.

Giving the Gift of Gratitude

It’s important as parents to teach our kids tangible ways to show gratitude – and to let them experience how it also gives back to them. The suggestions above will help make gratitude a habit and a mindset that can last well beyond the holidays, keeping it front and center for not only our kids but for us as moms.

Related

Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
Reddit

Filed Under: Blog, Inspirational, Parenting Tagged With: Gratitude

About Mary Sterenberg and Kristie Sigler

Mary Sterenberg and Kristie Sigler teach communication at a large public university and run the company SALT Effect to provide education and resources to parents of tweens and teens. They have decades of experience in teaching and communication – and in being wives and moms. Between their two families, they have five kids ages 7 to 14 and three dogs. They’re fueled by faith, a sense of humor and plenty of caffeine. Find them here: https://www.salteffect.com/

teen tween boundaries masterclass

Hi! I'm Sheryl and I'm so glad you're here!

Are you tired of having the same arguments with your adolescent son or daughter? Scared that you’re failing as a mom? At your wit’s end and not sure what to do?

I can help. I’ve coached moms for over 12 years to become conscious, calmer and more connected parents. And I know the difference it makes when you get support and learn new ways of relating. It changes everything!
Contact me I'd love to hear from you!
Email Me

A Weekly Dose of Inspiration

Straight to Your Inbox

« We Found a Lifetime of Memories Under My Teenage Son’s Bed
Celebrating the Holidays When Both of Your Parents Have Passed »

Hi! I'm Sheryl and I'm so glad you're here!

Are you tired of having the same arguments with your adolescent son or daughter? Scared that you’re failing as a mom? At your wit’s end and not sure what to do?

I can help. I’ve coached moms for over 12 years to become conscious, calmer and more connected parents. And I know the difference it makes when you get support and learn new ways of relating. It changes everything! Read More…

Available on Amazon

Follow Me!

Follow Me!

Follow Along

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Top Posts & Pages

  • Stop Saying These 10 Things to Your Teenagers
    Stop Saying These 10 Things to Your Teenagers
  • Things to Say to Your Teen When Everything You Say is Wrong
    Things to Say to Your Teen When Everything You Say is Wrong
  • Five Things Teen Boys Need from Their Moms
    Five Things Teen Boys Need from Their Moms
  • The 8 Worst Parenting Mistakes We All Make
    The 8 Worst Parenting Mistakes We All Make
  • My Son Is Pulling Away and It's Breaking My Heart
    My Son Is Pulling Away and It's Breaking My Heart
  • A Warning to Whoever Lives with My Teens Next
    A Warning to Whoever Lives with My Teens Next
My Tweets
  • Home
  • Workshops
  • Podcast
  • Store
  • Contact
  • About
  • Blog

momsoftweensandteens

So true! 😂 😂 😂 ⠀ We can relate much bet So true! 😂 😂 😂 ⠀
We can relate much better to our tweens and teens when we are willing to ask - hmmm what might my version of this be?
Tween Daughters and Puberty...⠀ Do you ever wond Tween Daughters and Puberty...⠀
Do you ever wonder what's normal or how to have those awkward conversations?⠀
In this episode, Dr. Sheryl Ziegler talks with me about the Social Emotional and Physical Changes Tween Girls Go Through and How You Can Be Prepared Before She Hits The Teen Years.⠀
Link in the bio!⠀
⠀
A few highlights:⠀
Preteen behaviors - what to expect and what's normal.⠀
How to prepare your daughter for all of the social, emotional, and physical changes that she's going through during puberty and what's to come during the teen years. ⠀
How to have difficult and awkward conversations about puberty, etc. with her.⠀
How to use the tween years (9,10,11, 12) as an opportunity to celebrate your daughter's transition to womanhood.⠀
Laying a strong foundation for a strong relationship with your daughter where she will feel like she can talk to you.
If you’re a mom of a boy - you are well aware th If you’re a mom of a boy - you are well aware that there is no manual that can possibly prepare you for the unique joys and challenges of raising a son.⠀
⠀
In this podcast episode, I had the privilege of interviewing Kara Lewis, the founder of The Joys Of Boys - we discuss the joys and challenges, how every boy is different, tapping into what they really need and finding new ways to connect with them. ⠀
⠀
If you're finding it difficult to know how to connect with your son and support him when he's struggling give this interview a listen! Link is in the bio.
Right?! 😂 🤣 I'm so excited for the new year Right?! 😂 🤣  I'm so excited for the new year!!!
Totally feeling this way today! How about you?❤️ ❤️ ❤️
All behavior is purposeful, meaning there is a rea All behavior is purposeful, meaning there is a reason when our kids lash out and are hurtful.⠀
Anger oftentimes a secondary emotion. Hurt can often be lurking underneath the surface. ⠀
Next time your tween or teen is hurtful, be curious about what might be going on underneath the surface versus just reacting back. ⠀
When our kids are upset we can shift that interaction by being a parent who tunes in and cares. ⠀
We can say things like, "Wow. That hurt. I see you're upset. What's going on?"
Hey Mamas - ⠀ I'm so excited to share The Moms o Hey Mamas - ⠀
I'm so excited to share The Moms of Tweens and Teens Podcast with you - ALL things raising tweens and teens in one place! (link in bio)⠀
In just 3 weeks we are almost at 1000 downloads! Woohoo!⠀
I'm so grateful for all the amazing experts and authors that I have had the privilege to interview thus far and for more awesomeness to come and share with you!
Episode #4 of Moms of Tweens and Teens podcast is Episode #4 of Moms of Tweens and Teens podcast is here!⠀
Link in the bio!⠀
If you're worried about the day your tween or teen leaves the nest. ⠀
Or ⠀
You have a child that is unmotivated, and you worry about their future, ⠀
Or⠀
You want to learn what you can do to prepare them for adulthood and help them to thrive, you will want to listen to this episode where I interview Dennis Trittin and Arlyn Lawrence! Let's jump in!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Moms of Tweens and Teens · Designed by Beyond Blog Design· Built on Genesis Framework · Privacy · Membership Terms