Acting Deputy Principal - Student Development

Appreciating the Mundane with Positivity and Gratitude

Parent Corner this week acknowledges that we are almost halfway through this term and the reality of student life is being felt by your daughters: wake up, get ready for school, attend classes, attend training for extra-curricular activities, come home and complete homework and study, go to bed ...  and, when tomorrow comes, do the same again.  The day in day out chorus of, "It’s boring", or, "I’m sick of this, life should be more fun", may cause you to shake your head in concern.  After all, you know that boredom or the sense of the mundane is something that adults experience too – same sense of emotion, different stage of life!

Reality is nothing like the diet we are fed through media, especially reality television shows that so many of our young people watch.  It is understandable that they develop unrealistic expectations of life; a belief that work, leisure, and family lives should be glamorous, flawless, fun and exciting, and so much better than the person next door.  However, this is not real or sustainable!  In fact, holding on to these unrealistic ideas chokes one’s spirit, sense of self, and capacity to embrace what each day brings.

One way to improve life satisfaction is by applying a mindset of gratitude.  This means taking the time to notice and feel the ‘good’ or side benefit in the mundane.  Best of all, cultivating gratitude is free, takes little time, and actually strengthens mental health and well-being over a lifetime. 

According to psychotherapist Amy Morin, those who practise gratitude experience:

* more fulfilling relationships;

* improved physical and psychological health;

* better mood regulation, and are more kind, helpful, and empathetic (and experience less envy); and

* improved self-esteem and resilience.

So, at every opportunity, encourage your daughter to embrace the good in the daily grind.  For example, the routine of the day offers safety, predictability, and comfort; addressing feedback on a rough draft is a chance to improve results and sense of accomplishment; being made to play a sport is a chance to enjoy the sunshine, learn a new skill, and find a new friend.  Developing a sense of gratitude is integral to happiness and, when this occurs, we begin to flourish. 

This week’s Parent Corner offers a wide range of advice for supporting your daughter through the normality of the rest of the term.  And, finally, a few Pastoral Guardians have included some special words for maternal carers in recognition of Mother’s Day.

Jeni Barlow