In this post, I want to talk about why it’s important to teach my kids about gratitude. But let me start by how I got there.
This weekend was a real exciting one. I reached 10,000 followers on Instagram. It was a momentous occasion because it’s a milestone I’ve wanted to reach for some time. A couple of weeks ago, I reached 4k and that was a huge deal because I am appreciative of every level of achievement.
MY COMEDY VIDEOS
But then it just sky-rocketed and I was overwhelmed with the kind of love and appreciation I was receiving. For those of you who don’t know, I’ve started putting my Punjabi skits on Reels.
These are comedy videos I started making during Lockdown 1.0 when I first discovered Tik Tok. It’s only recently that I started sharing that original content on Reels too.
I had no idea they would go down so well. Each social media platform is different and what works on one, might not work on another. But I experimented – and it paid off.
WHAT MY BLOG IS ABOUT
So I’d like to say a huge hello and welcome to any new readers to my blog, as a result of being able to use that coveted ‘swipe-up’ link. Thank you for joining me on my journey.
Here on my blog you’ll find out lots more about my life and my interests; family, travel, lifestyle, beauty, style, food and some thoughtful pieces too on how I feel about things.
So let me tell you how I came to the idea for this post and why it’s important to teach my kids about gratitude.
I was working all weekend, so I didn’t really get a chance to sit back and really take it all in – 10,000 followers! Truth be told, I hate the word ‘follower’ and prefer to use the term ‘friend’. I said a few thank-you’s on Instagram but didn’t get a chance to celebrate the milestone.
A LITTLE CELEBRATION
I was completely surprised when I returned home last night though.
The kids were standing in the hallway as soon as I opened the front door, holding up 3 balloons with the digits ’10K’.
They gave me tight hugs and kisses and told me they were proud of me. It meant the world to me and that was celebration enough.
But Sukh had prepared me a lovely dinner too and bought lots of my favourite Indian snacks too as a nice starter. I had no idea at this stage that there was a beautiful cake to come as well.
CELEBRATING MILESTONES
We spent the next hour eating and chatting away. Shivam actually switched the TV off, so we could all catch up and just talk. It was the sweetest thing.
We spoke about what the 10K meant, about goals and supporting each other, about celebrating the little things as well as the big things.
Shivam then told me about something that had happened earlier that day. Whilst he and Sukh were out shopping for dinner, they bumped into a man who stopped them to talk. He asked if Sukh could help him to buy food. He’d lost his job due to Covid and was living with friends who were all in a similar situation.
A HELPING HAND
Sukh took him to the grocery store and he picked a few week’s worth of essentials. The man was hesitant and carefully checked the prices of everything. However, Sukh told him to get whatever he wanted.
He could see the man was genuine and needed help. He even gave Sukh his phone number in case he hears of any jobs for the man in the near future.
I won’t disclose the bill amount but Shivam seems to be quite surprised.
I listened quietly to Shivam’s story and when he finished, I asked him what he took from the experience. He said ‘it was nice of Daddy to help the man but it’s a lot of money’.
Now before I continue, I’d like to point out that whenever Sukh and I do anything like this, we don’t broadcast it. Whatever we do for anyone isn’t something to brag about because we’re not looking for pats on the back.
But I am sharing this story because of the conversation then turned to gratitude.
OPEN AND HONEST CONVERSATION
Sukh explained to the kids that people all around the world are suffering for many reasons and in many ways.
We spoke about how Covid has affected the lives and livelihoods of many. How many people have lost their loved ones, their jobs, their homes, how people are struggling to eat.
So we explained to the kids that when the opportunity comes along to help someone, you should grab it with both hands.
We all spoke openly and honestly about why being grateful and expressing gratitude is important. Shalini said hearing things like this made her realise how lucky she is to be healthy, to have a roof over her head and food on the table. She’s always been a very sensitive and thoughtful girl but it was nice to hear her say these words.
GIVING THANKS
I explained to the kids that I express gratitude every day whether silently, just before bedtime, directly to people in my life or on social media.
I explained that my first instinct when I reached 10k was to give thanks to everyone who’s supported me and clicked that follow button.
Shivam listened intently and we didn’t ask him what he was grateful for but we knew he was thinking deeply about it. This is not just a one-time conversation. This is something we will discuss over and over again. It’s something I am passionate about want to continue teaching the kids about gratitude.
Tonight, over dinner, I aim to bring the focus of the conversation on practical ways the kids can each express their gratitude for everything they have in their lives. I’ll share the suggestions we come up with in a future blog post.
Seeing as we’re talking about being grateful, check out one of my posts on positivity, in which I talk about gratitude, goodwill and kindness.
Taking the time to sit with our kids and share emotions is so important. Great post #mischiefandmemories
Author
Absolutely – thank you Jeremy x
Teaching gratitude to our kids is so important and I agree that we need to be honest and open in discussing it with them too. Congratulations on Instagram that is an amazing achievement #KCACOLS
Author
Thanks Jade – yes it is. We encourage open conversations in our home x
Such a lovely blog, Rosie! It’s lovely that, as parents, you have these conversations with your children. <3 A x
Author
Thank you Amrita. It’s really important they learn about gratitude so they don’t grow up with a sense of entitlement x
Congratulations! That’s amazing. The only way is up! Thank you for linking up to #KCACOLS
Author
Aw thanks so much Laura x
Such a lovely and inspiring post. It is so important to teach our kids gratitude!
P.S. Heading over to Insta to follow you now!!
#KCACOLS
Author
Absolutely – thank you so much x
Congragulations on your Instagram achievement, I will check out your feed!
Gratitude is something many parents forget to talk about with their kids, we seem to live in such entitled times these days Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS
Author
I couldn’t agree with you more. I think it’s so important kids are grateful for each and every thing they have in their lives x
I think sitting altogether round a table – whether it’s eating, talking or doing something else is so important but doesn’t happen enough these days… #mischiefandmemories
Author
Absolutely. We’ve started doing that more and more x
That is a fantastic achievement on Instagram Rosie, well done you! I completely agree that it’s so important to talk about gratitude with our children. Your positivity shines out of this post and I’m sure it rubs off on everyone one your readers. Thank you for joining us for the #mischiefandmemories linky, you’ve really inspired me today xx
Author
Aw thanks so much Anette. That’s really sweet and I’m glad my post offered some positivity x
Congratulations for reaching the 10k on IG and I’ll take a look at your reels. Gratitude and showing appreciation are such important skills and my kids are very polite (according to their teachers!) but there are some kids in my class who could do with some lessons in saying thank you… Thanks for linking up with #MischiefAndMemories
Author
Thanks Laura – that means a lot x
Such a lovely post and what a beautiful family you have. It was very kind of Sukh to help that guy, many would turn away.
A huge congrats on your Instagram achievement too. I love your reels, they are awesome haha.
Lovely to have you join in with #MMBC again. xx
Author
Aw thanks so much, Jayne. Yes, we have to do what we can. Your feedback on my Insta/Reels is really appreciated x
What a lovely post. It sounds like you have a lovely family already. Having those conversations about the values we hold and wish to encourage in our children is so important.
#mmbc
Author
Thank you – yes definitely important conversations to have x
Well done reaching the 10k, I love your videos. I watch nearly all of them, have no idea what is being said but I get the gist of them through your acting and the comments left. Keep up the good work both on and off social media. Thanks for linking with #pocolo and hope to see you back tomorrow
Author
Thank you so much – And your feedback on my videos means a lot, especially as they’re in Punjabi. I would love to subtitle them but they joke/punchline is lost is translation so just wouldn’t have the same effect x