Teaching The Kids Gratitude & To Be Mindful in 2015 #ONatural

Teaching The Kids Gratitude & To Be Mindful in 2015 #ONatural

Studies say you will have the best results by starting a resolution when you’re mentally ready and starting January 1st may set you up for failure because it is a trend rather than a personal quest. Since we started our ‘resolution’ in October I tend to agree with that theory. However, that was not always the case, in this post – Successful New Year Resolution That Happened Eleven Years Ago – 45 lbs gone – I do share about a healthy New Year’s resolution back in 2004 that I was extremely successful with starting January 1st 2004.

We did want to capitalize on the opportunity of a fresh New Year to make a few positive changes to our days and mental health as a big family. Here are three ideas we have implemented to help us along the way. 

Family Gratitude JournalFamily Gratitude Journal

This part of our new routine is a lot more time consuming than the rest of the tools we implements this New Year. However, it is much more rewarding as well. Since we are blessed to sit down at our dinner table each night as a family it was a little easier for us to implement this tool at the dinner table.

Each night each family member would tell the group what they were thankful/ grateful for during their day – one simple point. Mommy is the secretary and documents everyone’s words in our family journal. The plan is to re-read our journal as a family throughout the holidays in December 2015. This will give the kids and us a great opportunity to reflect on the positives the year 2015 had for us.

Since it takes 21 days to start a new routine I am confident that if we can put gratitude front and center for the month of January our little people will start noticing all the opportunities to be grateful around them.

A Personal Writen Affirmation

My husband reads a lot of business and self help books, they are an extremely great way to grow personally and professionally. When you’re a business owner, growth is your key to success.

Have you heard the story about the guy who writes himself a million dollar check and places it on his headboard? Each night before bed for years he looks at the check and thinks to himself “Yes I will cash that check one day.” The best part he does cash that check.

This is a great way to teach your mind an affirmation that you want to see come true. Our minds works wonders when you can grow them. We decided to write an affirmation on a sticky tab and stick it to everyone’s headboard. This affirmation was a personal goal for each family member and by writing it down and looking at it daily it is keeping us accountable for the chance we want to see.

Gratitude Rock

Numerous of my hubby’s books also talk about carrying around a gratitude rock in their pocket. A way to remind you through the craziness of the day that you have much to be grateful for. We wrote gratitude on the front of six rocks and each family members name and year on the back.

Gratitude Rock

The school kids and daddy place their rock in their lunch pails and Little O and Mommy in our pocket.

We explained to the kids that when you see your gratitude rock take a moment to be mindful and think of a way to be thankful for those around you and if something cool that has happened to you at school in that moment.

The first day when the kids unloaded their lunch pails the excitement was happening all at once. All three took those much needed moments during the day and when they got home they remembered to tell me what they were grateful for at school.

Mr L (7) says ” I am thankful for the gratitude rock because it is always by my side when I eat my lunch. My friends were wondering what it was. ” 

The gratitude rock not only teaches our children to be thankful but it gives them a chance to inspire and teach others around them.


Are you working on a New Year Resolution this January?

Orange Naturals can help! 

The #ONatural newsletter is full of health tips, tricks, recipes, and of course, real people! Just like you and me!

Plus, if you’re looking for alternative health ideas check out the #ONatural Blog for great articles written by Naturopathic Doctors, a Homeopath and a Nutritionist.

Since many of my friends and family are on the hunt for a lifestyle change I had to share this article I found on the #ONatural Blog Winning the weight-loss battle which talks about coping with stress, sleep, hormones and fad diets. Which all are important to a successful weight-loss journey. Orange Naturals has a many great natural supplements that can help you reach those goals.

Looking for an optimal start to your new healthy life style? Orange Naturals has starter kits to get you started – Be an Orange Natural AdultBe an Orange Natural Kid.

If you haven’t already, swing by the Orange Naturals Facebook page for more inspiration and a chance to have your questions answered.

” Orange Naturals has taken the guessing out of keeping my family healthy. In combination of a few lifestyle changes and Orange Naturals by our side, we haven’t been sick once this winter. ” (Knock on wood.)


Orange Naturals is Generous!

One In R Dream reader will WIN 1 year print subscription to the awesome Ecoparent magazine, a copy of the New York Times Bestseller: 100 Days Of Real Food: How We Did It, What We Learned, And 100 Easy, Wholesome Recipes Your Family Will Love! by
Lisa Leake and $100 worth of Orange Naturals products of your choice! (Value $160)

Canada only (excludes Quebec) ends 01/30 EST. We cannot guarantee your prize will be similar to the one mentioned. Winner depends on the amount of entries received. You can only win once on an Orange Natural Mom blog. You have 24 hours to claim your prize before another winner will be randomly drawn. Good luck! 


Thank you for reading In R Dream!

Disclosure: I am part of the Orange Naturals Mom Ambassador Program and I receive special
perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.



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