How to Increase the Feelings of Gratitude in Your Home

Do you want to create a place where everyone is genuinely happy, for the good things and the seemingly bad?

How can you handle such a difficult situation with grace, dignity, and emunah?

That was the question I asked a special woman who had lost her beloved adult child after a prolonged illness. Indeed, this woman was a queen. Her emunah was rock solid. She was the one giving chizuk to everyone else.  

“I spend my life thanking Hashem for everything I have,” she responded. “And then, when the heavy challenges come, I can handle them with malchus. Because when you live with Hashem, it’s a different life.”

We automatically connect to Hashem during the difficult times. But when life is smooth sailing, the connection is not instinctive. It takes more effort.

I learned from this woman just how important it is to stop, notice, and thank Hashem for the big and little things during our boring, uncomplicated days. Because this is what keeps our connection strong. And if we can teach this to our children, what a gift we can give them!

Want to increase the gratitude in your own home? Here are some tips.

1. Come to a place of genuine gratitude.

Rebitzen Sima Spetner talks about a mother’s “overflow.” It’s the genuine heartfelt things that Mommy really cares about. Our kids are astute. They can sense what we really are. When we focus on our own gratitude it will spill over to our children.

If you like to write, keep a running ‘Thank you Hashem list.’ The pen and paper will force you to pause and focus on things to be grateful for. Whenever I travel, I look out for beautiful journals for this purpose. It adds to the fun!

2. Find the positive spin.

Even when things go wrong, there is usually a genuine, positive spin you can focus on. It may be easier to go down stream with the negativity. Or, we can push back and find the surprising blessings. If nothing else, we can thank Hashem, because things could have been so much worse!

3. Articulate your thoughts!

So many times, we feel blessed and happy. We experience those perfect moments in life that we want to hold on to. Talk about them! Let your children hear you thank Hashem!

4. Create your own wall!

Challenge your children to find new and fresh ideas to thank Hashem for! Start with the basics, and go on from there. Create your own Thank You Hashem wall in the kitchen or playroom. Let your children fill out the little tickets  and stick  them on the  bulletin board  or wall (with removable adhesive) until you hit the ceiling. 

5. Gratitude Journals for Children.

For older children, buy them a beautiful notebook and exciting pens. Challenge them to keep a running list–never repeating the same thing twice. This challenge will take them out of their comfort zone to look, notice and appreciate so many parts of their lives.

You can teach your child more about thanking Hashem in Sarah’s newest book, Kid Club and the Thank You Hashem Wall.https://amzn.to/3ZEM188