Gratitude is something that often is reserved for the bigger moments in life. We feel grateful when we move into a new place, have family and friends gather for a holiday, or when the kids make it through prom or graduation. These momentous occasions should be treasured, but we can find gratitude in the everyday as well. Each small victory, happy moment, and joyful laugh is an opportunity for us to appreciate the little things.
September 21st is World Gratitude Day. For parents, gratitude is vital to helping us live in the current moment. It gives us the chance to truly appreciate the time we spend with our kids, so it’s important to learn how to recognize gratitude even when it isn't as obvious, and give it the attention it deserves.
Take a moment to appreciate the mornings. The kids wake up and eat their breakfasts. You put together a lunch bag for each of them. Maybe they’re wide-eyed and excited to see their friends. Maybe they’re yawning at the early hour, or finishing up a last-minute assignment between bites. But when each kid is set with their backpack, lunch, and water bottle, you give them a hug and a kiss goodbye before sending them off for the day. We can find gratitude in the small successes of getting the kids to school. They have their fuel for the day and they’re ready to learn.
Before you know it, school’s out and it’s time to pick up the kids. You pass out fun snacks as they pile in. The car is suddenly filled with excited chatter and overlapping stories as they tell you their favorite part of the day all at once. It’s loud and chaotic, but we can be grateful they have learned so much, that they’re growing and building relationships with classmates, and that they want to share these moments with you.
As the day comes to a close, the whole family has begun to wind down. They’ve eaten dinner and you’ve helped with their homework. Maybe it took some negotiations, but they’ve changed into pj’s, brushed their teeth, and settled down for the night. You make sure they’re all tucked in, fill up a cup of water for each of them, and wish them all a good night. Words can’t express the warmth in your heart as they drift off to sleep. We can find gratitude in the reset of getting ready for bed and preparing for a new day.
These simple moments throughout the day can fill our hearts with gratitude. It’s true that not every day is smooth and simple, but being able to recognize the little victories can make the hard days a little easier. These are the moments we will look back on as they grow, the moments we’ll treasure, so don’t let them slip by you today.
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Back to School: The Days That Pass Too Quickly