Let's make a Happy Jar! Find any kind of empty container you have in your house. You can use an empty (and clean!) peanut butter jar, oatmeal container, shoe box, cereal box, or even a baggie or grocery bag if that’s what you have. Talk with your kids about the things that make you happy. Write or draw ideas and pictures that make you happy. Ideas don’t have to be things that you can do right now. You can include photos from photo albums or pictures from magazines too. Don’t forget to decorate the outside of your container or jar however you want. You can make one Happy Jar for your whole family to share or one for each person. When you’re done, save your jar to look through daily, weekly, monthly, or whenever you want! This is your jar, be creative and fill it with happiness!
Parents
Focusing on the positive has many benefits. Doing activities that help you think positively can help to decrease stress and worry thoughts, as well as helping us to be aware of the good moments still happening in our day to day lives. Coping skills are great to have for everyday life. Having the jar as a physical reminder of happiness can help to bring those positive feelings back whenever you need them.
Kids worry more if they are not given any information when they know something scary is happening. Sharing feelings in a positive way can help them work through their worries. Start discussions by asking your kids questions like “what do you know about what’s going on”? This way you will not tell them new information that they were not worried about in the first place. Their answer helps you find out what their concerns are, and you can help give them the correct information in an age appropriate way.
Resources
Helpful article for ongoing talks with kids about Covid-19
For adults and kids mindfulness and meditation can be a fun coping skill:
Free app/website related to mindfulness
If you’ve never done meditation here is a good starter course on the same app/website
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any mental health conditions. Rebecca Agnew, LCSW has a private practice in State College, PA.
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