With the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend approaching, I’ve been reflecting on what I’m grateful for this year: spending time with family and friends, online workouts (that kick #*%!) and the kids being back in school in person! (Speaking of which, are you asking your children what they’re learning about money in class?)

What’s so great about being grateful? For starters, it can:

• help us feel happier and more optimistic
• increase satisfaction with life
• lower stress levels and anxiety
• increase empathy and help make us more forgiving

This Thanksgiving,

• Try to model an attitude of gratitude. As parents, we are important role models for our kids. Let’s help them appreciate what they do have instead of focusing on what they don’t. Research shows that we automatically make upward social comparisons, comparing ourselves negatively to those with more. But our minds resist making downward comparisons. In other words, gratitude doesn’t seem to come naturally. Being grateful takes practice until it becomes habit. 
• At your Thanksgiving meal, or any time you gather with friends and family, try going around the table, asking everyone to share one highlight or small win that happened to them recently, or one thing they’re grateful for. 
• Or consider doing a family philanthropy project. Giving back by helping others opens your kids’ eyes to the fact that not everyone lives the same way they do and teaches them to be compassionate. It can also help put things into perspective if they’re developing a sense of entitlement.

Lastly, I am very grateful for the success of the book to date, knowing it’s helping so many people. If you’ve had a chance to leave a review on Amazon, thank you! If you haven’t found the time yet, I hope you will leave one here. Amazon reviews are so important to the success of the book because they provide “social proof” and credibility. Plus I love reading your comments about how the book is helping you teach your kids about money.