It’s November, which means Thanksgiving is close, and Thursday and Thanksgiving both start with TH and I’m especially grumpy and on edge today and need to think (another TH) happy thoughts (ooh! again) to avoid ripping off someone’s head and thumping (TH) them with their own esophagus.
When I’m feeling a little crankish, I try to turn the day around by listing things for which I’m thankful. In an effort to raise children that feel gratitude for the blessings life has heaped on them, this is also an activity Little Boy K and I do together on a nightly basis.
At night, Little Boy K and I choose just three things to be thankful for in order to try to come up with new things to add each day rather than repeating the same items over and over again.
I am thankful for the weather today. It is sunny but cool and lacks the sweat-sticky humidity that is so often present in my neck of the woods. I am always thankful for a sunny day and the ability to enjoy that sunshine without worrying about whether I smell like B.O. is a bonus.
I am thankful for co-sleeping. I am glad I get to flop down next to Baby S at night, who rubs his soft fingertips along my arm as he falls asleep with his head on my chest and then tucks his arm around my ribcage during the night. He tucks his little legs into my belly and I can rest, feeling that he is fully protected. I am thankful I get to end my day with Baby Love.
I am thankful for good teachers. Little Boy K has been so lucky to have a wonderful first grade teacher who goes above and beyond the standard curriculum. She is creative and truly puts her heart and soul into finding new ways to get the kids excited about learning. I am thankful that I do not have to worry about my son’s education while he is in her classroom and I appreciate the teachers in this world who see the joy in learning and try to pass that joy on to our children. Truly priceless.
So there. Just three things and certainly not an exhaustive list but I feel better about the day already.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Absolutely beautiful. I love that you do this every night! Our nightly ritual is at dinner with our 5yo. We raise our glasses, give a cheer and say something we’re grateful for that day. It’s true, she often says the same thing (the lovely food and the lovely family) but I still like it for a centering exercise for all of us. Also, love your description of your sweet baby as you both fall asleep. Precious.
Melisa @ just begin from here. recently posted..30 days of thankful things: day 7.
That’s a great way to turn around the day! This month every night we’re saying something new we’re thankful for and writing it up on the chalkboard wall. It really helps to remember all that you do have when you’re feeling bogged down by the negative.
Larks (@LarksNotesThis) recently posted..Unhelpful reviews and "Gourmet"’s recipe for boiling salted water.
Finding something to turn a frown upside down is a skill! Your kid will thank you for teaching him that one day.
dumb mom recently posted..Mom Chic on the Street. 5 Fall/Winter Must Haves.
It really does help to take a few minutes and be thankful everyday. I wish I remembered to do that more!
Stacie @ Snaps and Bits recently posted..One Singular Sensation
in an effort to ward off the negative tween attitude, I ask Einstein to tell me 3 best things about his day each night.
Robbie recently posted..Perfectly Good Reasons