When My Son Started Feeling the Stress, I Knew We Needed Something Different
- Sarah Perryman
- May 3
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 13
There was a point when everything in our house felt tense. My husband was working long, stressful hours finishing a major video game launch, we were trying to sell our house (still are), and the news — especially around the election — was just ... well ... a lot.
I could handle it.. But my son? He felt all of it.
The tension seeped into our routines, conversations, and even how we learned and spent time together. And I realized we needed a shift — not just for me, but for him.
So I created something simple but powerful: a Gratitude Journal.
This isn't a boring list-making worksheet. It’s bright, visual, and creative—with silly prompts, thoughtful reflections, and quick activities that kids actually want to do. It asks them things like:
What’s one weird thing you’re glad exists?
Who helped you this week?
Can you draw your “happy place”?
What could you do today to show someone love?
There are no long essays. No guilt. No lectures. Just small, doable moments that invite kids to slow down, reflect, and notice the good.
And something amazing happened.
When we started doing a prompt each morning, I saw my son shift. He became calmer. More open. More himself. We were having better conversations—about life, about feelings, even about what we were grateful for in each other.
After my husband helped me edit the final version, he looked up and said, “Honestly, I feel happier already.”
And that’s the magic.
This journal is gender-neutral, designed for all ages (we do it as a family), and it’s full of bright, retro space visuals that are just fun. It’s perfect for a morning basket, a calm start to the school day, or even a quiet bedtime wind-down.
Some moms have told me their kids actually ask to do it. That’s how much it changes the tone of the day.
If your child is sensitive, anxious, or just going through a tough time — this journal gives them (and you) a small, meaningful way to feel better.
To focus on what matters.
And to remember that there is always something to be grateful for.
Homeschool Families, Co-Ops, and Pods
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