Gratitude is a powerful way to turn around your thinking – on the one hand, the cup can be half empty. On the other hand, it can be half full. It all depends on your perspective and the gratitude perspective will always allow a person to see what is good or even great about their situation.

It is therefore vital to teach children from early on the power of gratitude in their own lives, both as an attitude of mind and as an emotional motivator to keep going.

Here are 3 ways for you to begin…

1. Help your children to notice and be thankful for all the fun things life has to offer by actively pointing out the wonders around them on a regular basis. Focus on nature and help children to see the beauty around them daily, from the birdsong and the trees to the mighty mountains and rivers of their country.

2. Thank your children when they do something kind or good. Whatever it is, when it's their idea to do something for others, show gratitude for it. Occasionally throw in a free hug and a "Thank you for being you. I love you so much."

3. Listen for children’s laughter and babies chatter. Comment on it frequently so that your children find it perfectly normal to seek out the happy, beautiful human sounds and to actively seek laughter. By remarking on such positive emotions in humans around their own age, they will be encouraged to see this as an expected norm. By bringing out the best in our kids, we can only imagine what blessings they could bring. Anything worthwhile takes a lot of time and effort. It’s up to all of us to make it happen