Teach gratitude at a young age

Friday night is my favorite family time. As our family gathers around the dinner table, we say our blessings as usual, but then take one more step -- we share our gratitude for the week past. We nicknamed them "gratefuls," and our six-year-old son and three-year-old daughter now adore the tradition.

In the beginning, the kids were usually grateful for a material item or sometimes they got a bit nervous and said something silly. But we've stayed the course, and my husband and I often share our thankfulness on a more profound level. Last Friday my "grateful" was the fact our family was fortunate enough to have food on our table, especially since so many people are unable to afford the same. The topic sparked a family discussion, ending with the agreement we would visit a local food shelter this week, make a donation and sign-up to volunteer to serve a meal.

Manners and thank you notes are important habits to instill in your kids, but gratitude runs deeper than "please" or "thank you." Gitendra Uswatte, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, stated gratitude is an emotion reflecting thankfulness for benefits received by nature, others or a higher being. Research shows adults scoring high in gratitude tend to be highly satisfied with their lives. We'll definitely keep up our "gratefuls" -- this emotional act is good for all of us.