Teach Your Kids to Appreciate the Little Things

By Susan Bartell, Psy.D. April 6, 2011

Taking the time to smile upon the good things in your life will help you (and your children) keep perspective.

mom and daughter holding a flower

It's April, and spring has finally sprung! The sun is shining and flowers, bursting with color, are pushing up through the warming ground. Life is insanely busy, but for just two minutes go ahead and jump off the merry-go-round, and take a deep breath. Appreciate nature's miraculous offerings of the season. Now, do you think you can do this for a couple of minutes every day? I'd like you to try it!

It's so easy to get caught up in our busy, aggravating, stressful, and sometimes even mundane lives that we don't always take the time to appreciate the beauty in our children; nor do we take the time to teach them to appreciate the positive in their own lives.

To begin your daily two minutes of reflection, ask yourself this question: "As a parent, what am I most grateful about today?" Is it the sweet kiss that you got as you left for work? That, just this once, your teenager didn't argue with you? That siblings helped each other with homework?
little boy giving mother a flower Some days the answer will come easily to you - in fact, you may have a long list that makes you feel grateful. However, on more stressful parenting days, feeling appreciative of your child may be somewhat more challenging. These are the days it is most important to stop for a moment to ask yourself the question - and then really search until you find a meaningful answer. Doing so will help you keep a clear perspective on what is most important in your life as a parent. No matter how upset, angry, or frustrated you may be right now, you can find the beauty in your relationship with your child when you stop and look for it. You simply have to take the time to stop and do so.
This is also an important skill to teach your child. Begin by helping him ask himself the following question each night before going to sleep: "What was the best thing about today?" Was it that we had outdoor recess? Am I happy because I made a new friend? Did I have my favorite lunch? Did the teacher give me a compliment? Did I get my homework done really quickly?

Of course, as with parents, kids will have an easier time on some days than on others finding the "best" in their day. If it was a difficult day, it will be harder for your child to find the good in it. This is when it is most important for you to help your child find something positive about the day - don't accept "nothing" for an answer.
You probably realize that being a good parent is hard work largely due to regular challenges from the very child you are trying to raise! So take a little time each day to appreciate the true beauty in your child (and also teach your child this skill). This will help melt away the frustrations you may feel as you go through the tough parts!

Dr. Susan Bartell is a nationally recognized child psychologist, speaker, and award-winning author. Her latest book is "The Top 50 Questions Kids Ask." You can learn more about Dr. Bartell at www.drsusanbartell.com.

Also see: How to Stay Motivated This Spring

How to Raise Optimistic Kids

How to Raise a Generous and Appreciative Child

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