The Musical Notes of Gratitude, an excerpt from The “Perfect” Parent

Parenting can often seem a thankless task. Sometimes we get so caught up in worrying about the minor problems and challenges that we forget to be grateful for what we have. From The “Perfect” Parent, some perspective:

Thank you is one of the first phrases we teach our children, and when they learn to apply it well, it makes every parent laugh and beam with pride. Thank you is a verbal delivery of gratitude, which is how we think and feel about something in our hearts. Thank you acknowledges appreciation, thoughtfulness, and kindness. And researchers in the field of positive psychology have also proved that expressing gratitude boosts the self-worth, self-esteem, self-confidence, and happiness of both the giver and the receiver. The phrase has a ripple effect!

Gratitude is a great perspective shifter, and one way that we can all easily invite it in is by having a quick, personal parenting gratitude affirmation. It could be a favorite quote or a sentence you make up that resonates for you. The statement I am grateful for my beautiful children, despite the challenges adjusts my attitude to one of gratitude every time. I try to remind myself of it right before I’m about to tackle a pressing parental dilemma. And when I forget, life shows up–for example, in the form of my friend who lost his son–to remind me of it.

What is your personal gratitude affirmation? It can be as simple as “I am so blessed to have these children” or as personalized as you wish. Gratitude truly is an attitude adjustment.

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