Parents want to teach their children good manners from an early age by saying “please” and “thank you,” but these polite words and other actions are more important than people think. It could mean much more.
A recent study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that hearing “thank you” from children, especially when parents hear them, can improve mental well-being and reduce stress. It is said that there is.
The study involved 593 parents of children aged 4 to 17.
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Parents who were married or in a romantic relationship completed a survey about the influence of gratitude within their families.
To determine whether children’s age influences parental gratitude, data on two groups of children, ages 4 to 12 and 13 to 17, were evaluated.
Gratitude from both older and younger children is associated with less stress in parents, the study found.
Additionally, gratitude appears to have a greater impact on mothers than on fathers.
Dr. Rajasekhar Kannari, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Novant Health in Charlotte, North Carolina, who was not involved in the study, said gratitude can reduce stress in parents because it brings a sense of affirmation. Ta.
“Gratitude also strengthens the bond between parent and child, creating a more harmonious family relationship.”
“Knowing that children’s efforts are appreciated reduces feelings of overwhelm and fatigue and fosters a positive outlook on parenting,” Kannari told Fox News Digital.
“This feeling of gratitude can also strengthen the bond between parent and child and create a more harmonious family relationship.”
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Doctors say that parents often feel grateful when their children say “thank you” because it reinforces their child’s efforts and sacrifices.
“When children express gratitude, it makes parents feel seen and valued and reminds them that their love and dedication can have a positive impact,” Kannari said. Ta.
Additionally, when parents feel acknowledged, they are often more motivated and engaged in their roles, which can lead to happier interactions and a more fulfilling home environment.
“Ultimately, gratitude creates a positive feedback loop that benefits both children and parents by fostering a culture of gratitude and emotional connection,” Kannari said.
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How can gratitude improve a parent’s mindset?
According to Mia Rosenberg, LCSW, a psychotherapist at Upsider Therapy in New York, gratitude from children reduces parents’ stress, increases gratitude, and gives them an overall sense of well-being. That’s what it means.
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“Small acts of recognition for what parents have given (to their children) can make them feel rewarded, which can encourage them to do the same thing again,” she says.
How can parents instill gratitude in their children?
Children look to their parents for cues on how to react and handle situations, Rosenberg said.
“By modeling gratitude for your children, you can show them the value of being grateful for any gift or act of kindness,” she said.
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When parents model statements like “I feel very lucky that the weather is nice today” or “I am so grateful that I have what I need every day,” they show their children gratitude. This is an effective method.
“The goal is to have them express satisfaction with what they have and feel gratitude for those ideas and items,” Rosenberg said.
Kannali, a child psychiatrist at Novant Health, agreed that instilling gratitude in children as a core trait in life can have a huge impact.
“Use strategies such as talking about emotions, encouraging empathy, praising effort rather than just evaluating results, creating gratitude rituals, modeling gratitude while teaching self-reflection, and avoiding overindulgence. Parents can help their children develop a sense of genuine gratitude that goes beyond polite expressions.
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In fact, these actions “foster a lifelong sense of gratitude for people and experiences,” the expert added.