We always begin each of our Second or First Time Mom’s group sessions with sharing highs and lows. I have come to love this practice which gives each mom a chance to reflect on their worries, anxieties, and challenges, but also on the things that are bringing us joy, levity and light. Recently one of my groups seemed to be expressing some extra anxieties, whether about their children, changes in their lives, or the state of our nation. We talked about the practice of gratitude as the antidote to anxiety that I was introduced to by Brene Brown several years ago. I have continued to find that this practice of replacing my anxiety about a particular subject with something I am grateful for around this same subject is probably the best thing I can do to not go down the rabbit hole of parental, political, or existential anxiety. It seems that as a parent, there is always something you can worry about with your children. As it turns out, there is always something to be grateful for as well. This Thanksgiving season, taking the time to replace any negative or anxiety inducing thoughts with something we are grateful for can be a powerful practice to transform our thoughts and beliefs. Here is a favorite gratitude meditation I’ve been using lately in the mornings to begin my thought train on the right track! Also, please check out my favorite thanksgiving gratitude practices I’ve done with our kids over the years. I’m really excited as some of my nieces and nephews are all grown up and so these gratitude leaves I’ve saved are so fun to look back on each year, and have truly become family heirlooms
Each year I put out leaves on the table with each guest’s name on them. More than seating assignments, guests are asked to write what they are thankful for on the back of each leaf. Young children are guided with questions like “What is something that makes your heart feel happy? Who makes your heart happy? What activities do you love to do?” During the meal, we make time for everyone to read out their leaves. I’ve always found that when we give children and adults a little time to reflect and write down what they are thankful for, the responses feel less on the spot and more reflective. Plus, I keep the leaves from year to year and family members and friends always enjoy looking back on past years. Now that some of my nieces and nephews are all grown up, the collection is even more precious to look back on and has become a bit of a time capsule and family heirloom for sure. I’m glad that we took this time over the years to not only express, but write down what we were thankful for. I hope you might start this tradition in your own families!