For our purposes I will define stress as: Both a physiological and emotional state caused by the pressure and/or anxiety which can result from the difference or dissonance between what a person has control over and their expectations of control OR a state of doubt and/or insecurity and/or cognitive dissonance OR for those with low resilience and/or efficacy the state caused by unpredictability. It can also include the disequilibrium caused by health related issues.
Monday, December 29, 2008
l. Attitude of Gratitude
l. Attitude of Gratitude Learn to say “please” and “thank you” and mean it. Teach your children the same.
13 comments:
Anonymous
said...
My husband and I listened to a CD on our drive to the Oregon coast one time about the mouth--specifically--complaining. The speaker challenged us to go one whole day without complaining. We thought we'd take it one step further and turn it into a contest between us, and it would last for the several days we were at the ocean. My thought was, "How much complaining can I do while I'm staying at my most favorite spot." Both of us ended up being quite surprised to find out how much pidly grumbling we actually did do on any given day. And I don't even consider myself a negative person. I am definitely a glass-half-full kind of person, and yet, I easily complain without giving it a second thougth. The thing that I realized was, it is impossible to have a critical attitude and a thankful one at the same time. And since our attidude determines our direction...
It was an expectation of my parents that me and my sister said please and thank you, and were seen and not heard. I equate this last piece to complaining. We strive to teach not just manners but gratitude, being thankful for what you have. We remind children that a toy or game can always be removed if cleaning up is an issue. Some common complaints I hear are "I'm bored" or "Lunch is gross" or even "Why do we have to do that?" We gently remind them that they have a nice place to spend their day, with nice people and good food. We also lead by example, this is a key element in gratitude. Theresa Stinnett
My children learned early that "I'm bored" did not always provide them with what they hoped for. There are lots of interesting and learning and growth opportunities all around.
I have a cousin who complains about everything! The famous words that come out of his mouth "this sucks." I can't believe how negative someone can be about everything. I think when people say "I don't want to do this" or "this sucks" like he did it puts a negative image on whatever it is. When I have to do something I am not fond of I try to look at the positive outcome of it.
Very true. We almost always find what we look for and usually can find something good or positive in difficult experiences. When I've had something I didn't like that I had to do and where I can't find the positive, I've always had the attitude that it's best to eat the spinach first. Growning up I hated spinach. My mom always cooked it. As an adult I love spinach as long as it's raw. Anyway, when I had spinach on my plate, I always ate it first so I could enjoy and be more grateful for the rest of the meal.
Both my children at work and my babies know that if the golden keys arent used( please , may I, thank you , excuse me , your welcome) as well as a very useful saying you get what you get and you dont throw a fit. that i will not respond to their question with an answer i will ask them what they are missing. Manners are important im my house hold and have been incorperated into work as well. It is another way for all children to show respect for others and for their selves.
nothing more irritating the a child who doesn't have manners. If you teach them, practice it as well. Be grateful for the little things in life too. Thank your children for going to bed without crying, for kisses and hug, for eating well. And in turn, they will thank you for the little things, cleaning the house, cooking them meals, taking them to the park. No only is it good manners, its a good self esteem boost for the parent/care givers. Katie Bowman
My mom taught me to keep a "gratitude journal" and she has also given a journal to each of her grandkids so they can do the same. It is amazing to look back over time and recognize all the little things that we have been blessed with.
Being thankful can change your how view. Optimism and possitivity doesn't have to mean that one is unrealistic or disconnected with reality-just that they focus on and appreciate the positive things in their lives. I've never thought about how this can lower stress levels, but it makes sense that it would since it allows you to let go of little annoyances and not dwell on them in exchange for looking at the positive. By consciously expressing gratitude and good manners children can be reminded of how much they have to be thankful for.
This made me smile. I am at a new school. I live in Louisiana but my new school has been visiting the Ron Clark Academy is Atlanta, Georgia and is patterning several things after his great efforts there. He has a book called THE ESSENTIAL 55, where he talks about saying please and thank you. It is rule number nine in his book.
Not all kids have been taught please & thank you. We encourage it daily. Good manners don't hurt feelings. Being grateful is a good thing. We even teach it in sign language so that the kids that can't talk can still ask for "more please" or "thank you". Reinforcing it with actions helps them remember.
13 comments:
My husband and I listened to a CD on our drive to the Oregon coast one time about the mouth--specifically--complaining. The speaker challenged us to go one whole day without complaining. We thought we'd take it one step further and turn it into a contest between us, and it would last for the several days we were at the ocean. My thought was, "How much complaining can I do while I'm staying at my most favorite spot." Both of us ended up being quite surprised to find out how much pidly grumbling we actually did do on any given day. And I don't even consider myself a negative person. I am definitely a glass-half-full kind of person, and yet, I easily complain without giving it a second thougth. The thing that I realized was, it is impossible to have a critical attitude and a thankful one at the same time. And since our attidude determines our direction...
It was an expectation of my parents that me and my sister said please and thank you, and were seen and not heard. I equate this last piece to complaining. We strive to teach not just manners but gratitude, being thankful for what you have. We remind children that a toy or game can always be removed if cleaning up is an issue. Some common complaints I hear are "I'm bored" or "Lunch is gross" or even "Why do we have to do that?" We gently remind them that they have a nice place to spend their day, with nice people and good food. We also lead by example, this is a key element in gratitude.
Theresa Stinnett
My children learned early that "I'm bored" did not always provide them with what they hoped for. There are lots of interesting and learning and growth opportunities all around.
I have a cousin who complains about everything! The famous words that come out of his mouth "this sucks." I can't believe how negative someone can be about everything. I think when people say "I don't want to do this" or "this sucks" like he did it puts a negative image on whatever it is. When I have to do something I am not fond of I try to look at the positive outcome of it.
Very true. We almost always find what we look for and usually can find something good or positive in difficult experiences.
When I've had something I didn't like that I had to do and where I can't find the positive, I've always had the attitude that it's best to eat the spinach first. Growning up I hated spinach. My mom always cooked it. As an adult I love spinach as long as it's raw. Anyway, when I had spinach on my plate, I always ate it first so I could enjoy and be more grateful for the rest of the meal.
Both my children at work and my babies know that if the golden keys arent used( please , may I, thank you , excuse me , your welcome) as well as a very useful saying you get what you get and you dont throw a fit. that i will not respond to their question with an answer i will ask them what they are missing. Manners are important im my house hold and have been incorperated into work as well. It is another way for all children to show respect for others and for their selves.
nothing more irritating the a child who doesn't have manners. If you teach them, practice it as well. Be grateful for the little things in life too. Thank your children for going to bed without crying, for kisses and hug, for eating well. And in turn, they will thank you for the little things, cleaning the house, cooking them meals, taking them to the park. No only is it good manners, its a good self esteem boost for the parent/care givers.
Katie Bowman
My mom taught me to keep a "gratitude journal" and she has also given a journal to each of her grandkids so they can do the same. It is amazing to look back over time and recognize all the little things that we have been blessed with.
That's a great gift from your mother. Not just the journal she gave you but what she taught you.
Being thankful can change your how view. Optimism and possitivity doesn't have to mean that one is unrealistic or disconnected with reality-just that they focus on and appreciate the positive things in their lives. I've never thought about how this can lower stress levels, but it makes sense that it would since it allows you to let go of little annoyances and not dwell on them in exchange for looking at the positive. By consciously expressing gratitude and good manners children can be reminded of how much they have to be thankful for.
This made me smile. I am at a new school. I live in Louisiana but my new school has been visiting the Ron Clark Academy is Atlanta, Georgia and is patterning several things after his great efforts there. He has a book called THE ESSENTIAL 55, where he talks about saying please and thank you. It is rule number nine in his book.
I love the gratitude journal! I may have to pass that on to my girls
Not all kids have been taught please & thank you. We encourage it daily. Good manners don't hurt feelings. Being grateful is a good thing.
We even teach it in sign language so that the kids that can't talk can still ask for "more please" or "thank you". Reinforcing it with actions helps them remember.
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