Grateful Families
This activity for children and all family members to focus on 'what is working' in their relationships with other family members. It draws on research showing that the daily practice of gratitude can have physical benefits and reduce stress. Gratitude won't change the situation you are in - but it may change your experience of it. Being grateful doesn't mean you can't be angry or sad or frustrated - these feelings are very real. Sometimes gratitude can be a life raft on the high seas ... something to grab a hold of when things are tough. It may not work for you, that's okay.
How to participate
- Print the Gratitude Card (see below) and cut as shown (or use online and send digitally)
- Pick a time for family members to sit down together (try for same time each day - to make it a habit)
- Each family members writes one thing about another family member they are grateful for today
- Give the completed Gratitude Card to the person you made it about (or send it in a digital form)
- Share your Gratitude Cards on your social media and ours with the hashtag #GratefulFamilies.
Extra tips
- Doing the Gratitude activity at the same time each day can help to make it a habit
- It takes 66 days to form a habit - see how many consecutive days you can do it for
- If you miss a day - thats fine, keep going
- You might like to do this activity each day - and then keep them secret to end of the week to share
- Consider setting up a Gratitude Board or pin the Gratitude Card to the family members bedroom door.
Gratitude Card
Here is a Gratitude Card for you to print and use, you might also like to use your own blank paper or a small note book.
Gratitude Gallery
We will use this space to share some of the Gratitude Cards people have sent to us.