Building Everyday Gratitude Beyond Thanksgiving
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
— Melody Beattie
In a world where our days are filled with headlines, hustle, and holidays, finding ways to teach gratitude can feel like one more thing on an already long list of “parenting to-dos.” Yet, when I look at the chaos and busyness around us, I realize there’s no better time to help our kids see the beauty in the simple, the steady, and the good.
I want my daughter to know that gratitude isn’t just a polite “thank you.” It’s more than just a feel-good practice.
It’s about recognizing the big and little things that make life brighter—even when times are hard. It’s a way to help our kids build resilience. And it’s not always easy, especially when the world feels heavy or uncertain. But that’s exactly when gratitude can become a grounding force, finding joy in the steady, comforting parts of life that they can rely on which they can carry with them through life's ups and downs.
So, as Thanksgiving approaches, I wanted to share some thoughts on how we can instill gratitude in our kids, not just during this season, but as a lasting habit.
Q-(Quick)Tips to Instill Gratitude in our Kids
1. Lead By Example (Even on tough days)
I’ve noticed that the most impactful lessons I teach aren’t from lectures, but from my own actions (which my daughter notices far more than I think!). When I say thank you for the small things or point out the beautiful sunset we caught just in time, I’m modeling gratitude.
And when life gets overwhelming, I remind myself that even the messes and setbacks are opportunities to find something positive. It's easier said than done, but I’ve learned that expressing gratitude out loud—especially for the small things—lets my daughter see how she can find something to appreciate, no matter what.
2. Creating a Family Gratitude Routine
One of the best habits we started was sharing something we’re thankful for each day. We keep it simple—whether it’s during dinner or right before bed, each of us shares one thing that made us smile or feel grateful for that day. Sometimes, my daughter’s response might be, “I’m thankful for pizza night!” (a classic kid favorite), and that’s perfectly okay. Gratitude doesn’t have to be profound. Just noticing the joy in little things helps build a habit of thankfulness.
3. Encouraging Kids to Give Back
Gratitude grows so much deeper when it leads to giving back. This season, we can find ways to give back as a family, whether it’s donating to a food bank, making cards for a local shelter, or even just raking leaves for a neighbor. There’s something transformative about helping our kids understand that gratitude isn’t just about what we receive but also about what we can give to others.
One small thing we did is bake cookies or treats and deliver them to friends, neighbors, and family members. It’s amazing to see how much joy my daughter get from watching people smile as they receive a little surprise. Even the simple act of giving something homemade can be a reminder that gratitude is something to be shared.
4. Making Gratitude Visual
Kids are visual learners, so we made a “gratitude jar.” Each time someone in the family is feeling thankful, they write it down and drop it in the jar. Over time, it becomes a powerful reminder of all the moments we might have overlooked or forgotten. Around Thanksgiving, we read each note together, and it’s a beautiful way to reflect on the year.
There’s something about seeing that jar fill up that reminds all of us—even on those tough days—of the goodness we’ve experienced and the moments that have lifted us up.
5. Change of Perspective
In our world, kids sometimes need a little help to see things from a different angle, and gratitude is a perfect lens. Sometimes, when my daughter is frustrated by things outside her control, I ask her to think about something good that happened that day or someone who did something kind for her. It’s not about minimizing their feelings (those are always valid) but about gently steering her to see both sides of the coin.
Sometimes, practicing gratitude is as simple as getting outside and letting nature speak for itself as well. When you go for walks, you can encourage your kids to notice the things around them—the colorful leaves, a bird chirping, or the way the clouds change shape.
These tiny shift and observations bring out a natural gratitude in them and remind me that sometimes, the best gratitude lessons come from a shift of perspective or when you stop to smell the roses ;)
Thanksgiving may be the season for thankfulness, but our world could use gratitude year-round, now more than ever. In a time when we all crave stability and connection, these little practices help create a safe, loving space for our kids to grow up with hearts of gratitude.
At the end of the day, our kids may not remember every lesson we tried to teach them, but they’ll remember the warmth of these moments—the family rituals, the joy of giving, and the lessons found in a simple walk or a jar full of notes.
Here’s to helping our kids—and ourselves—cultivate gratitude, one small step at a time.
P.S. I’ve also created a freebie with fun activities that you can do with your kids to practice gratitude as a lifestyle. Get your freebie here….