How to Raise Grateful Kids in Today’s World

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I’m going to be honest with you on this one… it’s simpler than you think. Here at Literally Simple, we love it when complicated issues can be simplified and made easy. That’s kinda what we do. So, in this short yet informative guide, I will give you a simple outline on how to raise grateful kids in today’s world. Gratitude is my jam and if there is anyone out there who gets more jazzed up when talking about gratitude than me… I need to meet them. Let’s get to it!

Ok, I’ll give you all a hint…

Raising grateful kids has nothing to do with your kids, and everything to do with you. Well, of course it does involve them, but you are going to be doing the majority of the work here mom (or dad or grandma or… you get the point).

So, if your gratitude game is lacking, read this informative guide on the benefits of a gratitude practice. If you are more of a visual learner, we put together this list of 10 inspirational gratitude quotes and facts for you to enjoy.

How to Raise Grateful Kids

These three tips on raising grateful kids are exactly what I implemented in my home and the results were so positive that I would love to share it with all of you parents out there. This is not something that I made up out of nowhere, this proved to work for my kids and I’m confident it will work for yours too.

1. Practice gratitude in front of them everyday

We have to lead by example, right? How I lead by example is I write in my gratitude journal throughout the day, not just at night when everyone is asleep. I make it a point to write in my journal when the kids are around and especially when they are at the table coloring or doing homework. I will sit down with them and start writing just like they are. It is important be present with them and let them take the lead.

After I started doing this, my oldest child (he is 7) became interested in what I was doing and started asking about it. I explained about my gratitude journal and how I like to write down what I’m thankful for everyday.

This planted the seed.

If your kids are older (or younger) and you don’t think they would pay attention to what you are writing, try saying it out loud in front of them.

You could comment on how you are thankful for the weather when it’s sunny out. You can talk about how you are thankful for your home as you pull into the driveway. Mention that you are so grateful for your job because it allows you to buy groceries. This list could go on and on, you get the point. Just do what works for your family.

2. Adapt daily family gratitude practices (and follow through)

My family did a gratitude jar last year and it was amazing to see how excited my kids became for our daily practice. We got a cute mason jar and decorated it with a sign and ribbon. Every day for one month we each wrote on a small piece of paper what we were grateful for that day (I would write my little one’s down for her). Then, at the end of the challenge, we got to reflect on the month and read our pieces of paper.

My 4 year old daughter said cute things such as bananas, juice and Trolls. It didn’t matter what they wrote each day, only that we were practicing gratitude together as a family. I still have our mason jar full of gratitude notes and I’m thinking of starting the practice again for another month.

My older son actually loved the gratitude jar practice and would remind me if I forgot to do our gratitude that day.

Here are some more ideas for your daily gratitude practice:

• Gratitude journals for kids
• Dinner table gratitude
• Bedtime gratitude
• Write thank you notes
• Read books about gratitude
• Gratitude craft or collage

Honorable Mention: donate or volunteer

When you and your family donate toys, clothes or time to others, it cultivates a deep sense of gratitude in the family. Plus it declutters your home, which is a bonus for most moms out there.

3. Tell your kids how grateful you are for them everyday

This seems obvious, but may slip your mind in the hustle and bustle of the day. At least once per day, tell your children how thankful you are for them. I do this every night when I’m tucking them in to bed.

I say, “Do you know how thankful I am for you?” And then I talk about how grateful I am for them (I’ll spare you the mush). I do this every night, right before they fall asleep.

Do you know the impact you will have on their brain when you plant a seed of gratitude in their little mind every night? It is priceless.

This is the simplest, yet most profound way to raise a grateful child in today’s world.

Final Words

Did you see the pattern with all three tips listed above? All of them are to be implemented EVERYDAY. With children, consistency is the key. You have to practice what you preach and really make it a point to do this every day.

Whether you tell them at night before bed how thankful you are for them, write in your journal in front of them, or have a family gratitude jar (or do all three)… you are on your way to raising a grateful child in a world that can be just the opposite at times.

If you would like to get started on your own gratitude practice, download our FREE gratitude workbook to have right now. By starting your own practice you are setting a positive example for your children to learn from. The workbook includes gratitude lists, affirmations, reflections, quotes and pro tips.

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Join the Discussion

In what ways do you practice gratitude as a family? Tell us in the comments.

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