Counselor’s Corner

October

Ms. Sonya Smith, North Vista Elementary School Counselor

GRATITUDE is our Character Word for October 2008

GRATITUDE: Letting others know you see how they’ve helped you.

Every day brings opportunities to show others that we notice how they help us. A friend assists you in carpool duty, a neighbor drops off dinner for the night, your child goes above and beyond in doing their chores. Showing your kids and those around you that you appreciate them can sometimes be a challenge.

Gratitude is an intentional act. When we have been helped or benefited from the actions of others, it takes a conscious effort to say, “Thank You.” By deliberate repetition, gratitude becomes our natural response.

Gratitude teaches the different between appreciating some “thing” versus some “one.”  When we receive a gift unexpectedly or receive something we have wanted, it is easy to get carried away with the enjoyment of the “thing.” By showing some “one” our gratitude, we give a gift in return that says we recognize and appreciate the person.

Gratitude builds relationships. Being appreciative makes a person feel good about how they helped you. Communication is the prime ingredient. A simple, heartfelt response can forge a strong relational link between the giver and the recipient. Remembering times when someone helped us through words or actions will call to mind, and heart, ways we appreciate the relationship with that person.

We can even feel better about a bad situation when we recognize the things (and people) we often take for granted. By focusing more on what we have rather than what we don’t have, everyone can learn to see the many opportunities there are to show gratitude.

Use the take home table card this month to emphasize gratitude at home. The card provides ways to make gratitude a part of your family’s life through family discussion and activities.

DETERMINATION is our Character Word for October 2008

DETERMINATION: Deciding it’s worth it to finish what you’ve started.

How determined are you to finish the project you started three months ago? Is it as important as it was when you decided to start? How do we rationalize our tendencies to procrastinate and put off . . . too busy, too tired or too overwhelmed? This month, the definition of determination is, “Deciding it’s worth it to finish what you’ve started.” Why is it important to teach determination as a value?

Determination adds significance to the task at hand. How we invest our time and energy tells what we consider most important in our lives. By sticking with something to completion, we show others that we consider the task worth the investment.

Determination sets a standard for lifelong behavior. Learning that accomplishment requires commitment may not come easily to children. Taking shortcuts and seeking immediate gratification is a trap we all fall into easily. Children need help in seeing the benefit of their time spent. Encouragement and praise for their effort is essential as children develop an internal drive to complete the job.

Children can be encouraged to develop a sense of commitment. Children can take a major step when they make the connection between recognizing what needs to be done and displaying the determination to do it.

This month, “catch your kids” showing determination. When you see your child showing determination, let him or her know that you saw what they did, and take that opportunity to encourage him or her.