The Challenge of Raising Grateful Kids in Today’s World
As parents, we want our kids to grow up with thankful hearts. But let’s be honest—this time of year makes it hard. From toy catalogs to Christmas wish lists, it can feel like kids are surrounded by messages that say, “You need more, you deserve more, you should want more.”
Even though my kids understand that we have a budget that we stick to, they still sometimes randomly ask for things they know we are not going to get. It is a reminder that gratitude isn’t something kids naturally pick up—it’s something we intentionally teach.
The good news? Gratitude can be taught, modeled, and celebrated. And the holiday season is the perfect time to do it.
Why Gratitude Matters for Kids
Children who practice gratitude are happier, healthier, and more resilient. But beyond the research, gratitude is a biblical command.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
When we teach our kids to be thankful, we’re not just improving their outlook—we’re pointing them to God as the source of every blessing.
5 Practical Ways to Teach Kids Gratitude This Season
1. Model Gratitude Out Loud
More is caught than taught. In other words, kids learn more from what we do than what we say. Instead of just saying “thank you” in passing, make a point to talk about what you’re grateful for each day. Example: “I’m so thankful for this warm meal and that we can enjoy it together.”
2. Start a Family Gratitude Journal
Keep a notebook in the kitchen and invite everyone to write or draw one thing they’re thankful for each day. By Thanksgiving, you’ll have pages of blessings to reflect on.
3. Trade “I Want” for “I’m Thankful For”
When your child says, “I want ___,” gently redirect them: “That looks fun! But what’s something we already have that you’re thankful for?” This simple shift rewires their focus.
4. Serve Others as a Family
Gratitude grows when we look beyond ourselves. Volunteer at a food pantry, pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, or bake cookies for a neighbor. Kids see firsthand that giving is better than getting.
5. Make Gratitude Part of Thanksgiving Dinner
Go around the table and have each person share one blessing. For younger kids, make it fun by writing blessings on paper leaves and taping them to a “Thankful Tree” centerpiece.
Overcoming the “Season of I Want”
It’s not realistic to expect kids to never say “I want.” But we can give them tools to balance desires with gratitude. Instead of focusing on what they don’t have, we can help them see how much they’ve already been given—starting with God’s love.
As moms and dads, our role is to shift their hearts from consumer culture to kingdom culture. And the sooner we start, the more natural it becomes for our kids to live lives of thankfulness.
Final Encouragement
Gratitude doesn’t come overnight. But as we model thankfulness, build habits, and center our family on God’s blessings, our kids will learn that gratitude is more than manners—it’s a lifestyle.
This Thanksgiving season, let’s raise children who don’t just say “thank you,” but who live with thankful hearts.
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