A DAILY DOSE OF GRATITUDE
Raising Thankful Children
Most parents want their kids to view Thanksgiving as a meaningful event — not just an opportunity to indulge in turkey and mashed potatoes. Unfortunately, most kids’ eyes will glaze over when their parents launch into a lecture about thankfulness. You will likely find better success by emphasizing the value of gratitude all year long. “What do you say?” It’s a question we all ask our young children after someone does something nice for them. This practice instills good manners, but it shouldn’t be confused with teaching gratitude. Imparting the meaning behind the words “thank you” takes something more.
Next, consider how you can encourage your child to reflect on who they’re grateful for. Acts of kindness and returning the favor to those who have been good to us can inspire kids to put their gratitude into action. Doing some yardwork, sharing a toy, or making a painting as a gift can help children understand how powerful it can be to outwardly show our gratitude for the people who are in our lives.
Consistency is the most crucial factor, so try to find ways you can incorporate gratitude into your everyday routine. Children of any age can keep a gratitude journal with their parents’ help. Some families also use a gratitude jar where each family member can write what they’re grateful for on a slip of paper and add something different to the jar each week. It’s the perfect way to keep gratitude front and center. These lessons may not sink in immediately, but by cultivating these positive habits in our everyday lives, you will see a big difference in the long run.
If you want grateful children, you need to be grateful parents. Consider how you can incorporate gratitude more into your everyday life. Are you as thankful as you should be? Do you repay favors and write thank-you notes? Do you regularly talk about why you’re so fortunate or what you’re
thankful for? Cultivating gratitude in your life sets a good example, and many studies show it benefits your mental health as well.
‘Tis the Season TO ENSURE YOUR HVAC SYSTEM LASTS ALL WINTER
3. Get rid of clutter around your unit. Clutter around your unit not only poses a fire hazard, it also increases the amount of dust that will settle around your unit in places
While you’re not able to control the weather, you can control to some extent how it affects your home, your heating system, and your wallet. We will be in a winter wonderland here soon, and although the scenery will be beautiful, you want to protect your HVAC system from the harmful effects of snow, ice, and freezing rain. Here are a few tips to give your heating system all the advantages you can so it will weather winter well. 1. Sweep off any buildup. Before going out to play in the snow, ensure your HVAC system is free of any snow or slush accumulation, which can damage your system. Use a broom to gently sweep off the top and sides of the unit as needed. 2. Clear a pathway. Use a broom or shovel to clear a pathway to and around your unit. This will not only allow for proper air circulation but will also help make your technician’s job a little easier if they need to make a trip to your home for any unexpected repairs.
you can’t reach, compromises the air flow around the unit, and creates an added challenge for the technician should you need any maintenance or repairs. If you use a supplemental heat source, such as a space heater, wood stove, or fireplace, to keep your home extra cozy, be sure to keep the area around it clear as well to minimize the risk of accidental fires. 4. Call a technician. Even if you take all precautions, your HVAC system may need some TLC at some point this winter. A winter storm can damage your unit, or there may be snow and ice buildup in areas you forgot to look at or can’t get to. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. Our technicians will be happy to inspect your system and make any necessary repairs to get your system back up and running as quickly as possible. We want you and your family to stay warm all winter long. If you notice any signs of winter wear and tear on your HVAC system, please don’t hesitate to call us.
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