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287: The Jar of Good: Why Looking for the Good Actually Changes Everything
Description
Every year, I share something called The Jar of Good — and every year it hits people right in the heart.
In this episode, I break down how this simple tradition works, why it’s so powerful, and how it helps kids feel truly seen. But we don’t stop there. We also talk about what happens when you have multiple kids, sibling dynamics, and why a single “family jar” can sometimes backfire.
We also explore a version I hadn’t considered before:
✨ A Jar of Good for yourself.
Because parents are brutal to themselves. We remember every mistake, every raised voice — and forget all the moments we stayed regulated, showed up, or did the hard thing anyway.
This episode is about training your brain to look for the good — in your kids, in your family, and in you — and writing it down so it actually sticks.
What the “Jar of Good” is and how to start one
How to adapt it for younger kids, older kids, or shorter time frames
Why individual jars often work better than a family jar
A powerful classroom version that builds empathy
How this practice can shift sibling rivalry
Why parents need their own Jar of Good
The science and psychology behind writing things down
How focusing on the good helps you stay afloat in hard seasons
This is simple. It’s free. And it works.
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