Raising Thankful Kids: How Small Daily Practices Can Shape Grateful Hearts
No. 89 - Simple ways to help your family slow down, notice the good, and practice gratitude together.
We’ve all been there. The birthday party or holiday celebration where your child opens a gift and blurts out, “But I didn’t want this,” and you immediately want to sink into the floor from embarrassment.
“How have I raised such an ungrateful kid?” you think.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about thankfulness in my own life and how I can be a better example for my kids.
It’s easy to get weighed down by the state of the world, especially in this season of motherhood with young kids. The complaints can flow freely. There’s never enough time. Someone is always sick. Our boss was unfair. I wish I had a bigger house.
I’m not someone who naturally sees the world through rose-colored glasses. I’m not a “look on the bright side” type of person because it often feels forced or a little cheesy. But as much as I hate to admit it, recognizing the good amidst the hard really does create a snowball effect. Once you start naming the good, you start seeing more and more of it all around you.
Writer Shannan Martin does this beautifully in her Substack. She calls them counterweights, pairing the hard with something hopeful or grounding. She speaks honestly about the tough stuff but always balances it with gratitude or light. It’s been a grounding read for me each week and I’d encourage you to check her out. (P.S. I have 4 free subscriptions to give away for Shanna’s Substack, please let me know if you’d like one of then)
This season I really want to focus on helping my kids practice thankfulness. It’s not something that just happens. It’s modeled and learned over time. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be complicated or forced.
It can be as simple as sharing one thing you’re thankful for at dinner. You could make a paper chain, writing something you’re grateful for on a strip of paper each day and adding it to the chain to see how long it gets. Or set out a gratitude jar where everyone can drop little notes or drawings about what’s making them happy. Small practices can lead to big, long-term changes.
In a time when it’s so easy to focus on the gloom, I’m trying to be intentional about naming the bright things shining through.
A roof over my head.
A family I adore.
A church with more than enough love to go around.
A job I’m grateful for.
A sunny November day.
My sweet old dog still hobbling around.
Lunch with a friend who’s in town.
What’s one thing you’re thankful for today? Leave a comment below and let me know!
🚘 My son received this Lightning McQueen Car Builder for his birthday and he’s had so much fun taking it apart and building it again. It would make a perfect Christmas present for any toddlers in your life if you’re looking for ideas.
📺 We watched Nonnas last weekend and it was one of the most heartwarming movies I’ve seen in a while (and it made me crave some homemade Italian food). Vince Vaughn showed a different side of himself than he typically portrays and I loved it.
🥥 I made a batch of this Eleven Madison Park granola, and not only did it make our entire house smell like fall, it tasted absolutely incredible. I will note, I used 1 tsp of salt instead of the recommended.
Happy Friday, Friends! I hope you all have a beautiful weekend!
Bri! This has been on my mind massively. How do we teach gratitude!? I loved your suggestions re: modeling it and small acts (the paper chain!).
I'm thankful for the fact that my kids are both strong readers. I'm also thankful the educators that made that possible.