Family Gratitude Ideas: March
Well, in spite of the time change, March can still be a source of small moments of gratitude and grace. The daffodils are pushing their way up anyway despite the layer of snow. And in the West, we are drying out - just a bit - from the relentless rains. The March winds blow no matter where you may live, and it’s not quite time for those spring clothes. But there is a lot to be grateful for. We have our families, and our children are ever insistent and curious about the world. Here are a few ways to spend the month while we wait out the transition from the quiet (and possibly very grey) winter into Spring.
Quarterly Review
Sure, you aren’t running a Fortune 500. Still, if you’re like me, you may bounce from one gratitude practice to the next throughout the year, so pausing to reflect on a quarterly basis can actually be pretty helpful for refining and remembering all that good work. Take out a piece of notebook paper and divide it into three squares. Inside each, you can either reflect on what went well that month OR write down the different gratitude practices you tried with your family or solo. Studies show that it's not just our active gratitude practices that contribute to our well-being - but reflecting on what we already did and what we were already grateful for can contribute just as much. So, no good deed goes wasted!
A Gratitude Treasure Hunt
This gratitude-themed indoor scavenger hunt is set up so that all you have to do is place the cards in the assigned rooms. At the end, your child gets a special prize (hint: it’s a list of things you love about them that they can hang up in their room). Download yours here.
Change the Prompt, Find Inspiration
Sometimes, if you change the prompt, kids are more open to sharing the gratitude they feel. After all, our society makes gratitude so much about indebtedness, and that pressure is not really the point. My definition of gratitude is appreciating the interconnectedness of life, that we all are one and share in the common good - nature, too. When we take the time to notice that, it makes our soul glow.
One Nice Thing…
This is a fresh prompt for before or after dinner. You can switch it up each night depending on their mood. Simply go around the table and say, “Name one nice thing about…” inserting a person or pet in your life, a place you go often, or a vacation or adventure you just went on. When we switch the word to “nice,” there is less pressure to get it ‘right’ or to look for an overarching BEST thing.
Surprising…
Freshening up for spring can also mean finding another way to connect after school and work. On the way home, instead of the standard, “How was your day dear?” try “What was something surprising that happened today?” (p.s. This works great with kids, teens, AND partners, tbh). Stories that spring up from this prompt tend to be exciting and surprising but also filled with appreciation and gratitude for the event or circumstance. Maybe they skipped PE and watched a movie in the gym - fun! Maybe the bus went a different way, and they got to see a Corvette. Maybe your partner took a walk at lunch instead of eating at their desk. Who knows!
Fresh Reads
For the adults:
Beautiful Chaos by Jessica Urlichs
This book of poems is incredible, written by a mother going through all the early stages of parenthood, from the realization of her own mothers love to the struggles that abound as toddlerhood hits. I love it because it presents a balanced POV, sharing the hard times and the beautiful heart-flooded moments. Here’s a sample for the month - follow her on Instagram here.
For the kids:
In the Small, Small Pond AND In the Tall, Tall Grass, both by Denise Flemming
These books are classics because, in their simplicity, they showcase magic moments that all children can relate to. Imagine getting down and pretending you live among the leaves of grass or looking at water bugs in a pond as they magically ‘swim’ on top of the water. Small moments make up a childhood, and the verbs that Flemming uses will surely get them laughing.
Gratitude is already woven into so many parts of your family’s life—sometimes, we just need a little refresh to see it. Looking for more ideas? Check out February’s post, which is filled with even more ways to celebrate the strengths that make your family uniquely yours.
