With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Gina and Christyn tackle the topic of cultivating an attitude of gratitude in their homes. From their personal habits to fun ideas for for family “thankfulness” activities, this episode will have you agreeing that “Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” (Karl Barth)
1:29 — Celebrate Guy Fawkes Day with a fun — and free! — poetry teatime download
2:35 — Gina and Christyn both have a low-key approach to their Thanksgiving traditions
5:27 — These three main topics will help you keep that thankful feeling going strong in the home
1) Tips and Tricks for cultivating the attitude of gratitude in ourselves as parents
2) How to avoid entitled kids and instill a sense of gratitude in our children
3) Some fun ideas for family activities that stress thankfulness
6:07 — 1) Cultivating daily habits of gratitude is important because our kids model all our behaviors
6:37 — Christyn talks about finding joy in the middle of grief
7:45 — Gina discusses #ThisDaysJoy: how it started and how it continues over eight years later through Facebook posts and two books
10:20 — Christyn talks about the idea of finding joy in grief and the blog she started after her husband’s death: Curving Toward Joy
11:50 — 2) Instilling a sense of gratitude in our children
12:00 — Gina shares a story of entitled young adults
14:04 — It can be harder to find opportunities for encouraging gratitude in an only child; you have to be more intentional. Christyn shares some of her methods
15:00 — Teach your child that the act of sharing, the act of being grateful to have something to share, the relationship that comes from sharing is the most important part
15:55 — Gina’s tips for instilling gratitude in an only child include keeping it real by encouraging friendships with senior adults and hearing their stories
17:30 — 3) Some fun activities to cultivate a sense of gratitude in the days leading up to Thanksgiving
18:13 — Crafts are a great way to reinforce thankfulness, especially in younger children. Be sure to also download the Gratitude Scavenger Hunt for some family fun, and consider a shareable Gratitude Journal and curating a collection of stories, poems, and songs that stress grateful hearts and thanks
19:20 — Gina reminisces about Wyatt’s “thankful tree” made of construction paper handprint leaves
20:20 — Christyn remembers her daughter’s “thankful turkey” with construction paper feathers of thankful thoughts
20:55 — It’s wonderful to see gratefulness through a kid’s eyes. There’s so much adults miss because it doesn’t seem “big enough” to be grateful for
https://readaloudrevival.com/picture-books-for-november/
21:35 — Crafty ideas might not work for teens, so consider slow conversations over hot cocoa or tea; create the Thanksgiving menu together; create a playlist of favorite songs that inspire thankfulness
22:01 —Writing thank-you notes is a great way to express gratitude
23:57 — Gratitude and joy and thankfulness are all about making connections with the people we love