Teaching Gratitude to Kids (When It Feels So Abstract) ☺️
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude.
In our home, we practice thankfulness every night. Before bed, we each share something we are thankful for. It’s a sweet moment, and one I truly value. But over time, I’ve noticed something. Sometimes it feels automatic. The words come out quickly, like a to-do item we check off before lights out.
And that made me wonder.
Is gratitude really landing?
Or has it slowly turned into a routine task, without much reflection?
I don’t have a clear answer. But I do know this: gratitude is a big, abstract concept, especially for children. It’s not something you can easily explain or teach with a lesson. It’s a way of seeing the world, and that takes time.
A different way to think about February
February is a month centered around love and connection. This month, I’m choosing to focus gratitude on people, not things.
Instead of asking my children what they are thankful for, I’m asking who they are thankful for, and why.
A sibling.
A grandparent.
A teacher.
A neighbor.
A friend.
This way, gratitude becomes relational. Personal. Real.
A simple February gratitude idea
Ask your children to choose one person each week in February and help them show gratitude in a simple way. This doesn’t have to be big or perfect.
It can look like:
Drawing a picture for someone they love
Saying “thank you” out loud
Giving a hug or spending intentional time together
