Cultivate a Grateful Heart

Easy Peasy Gratitude Project for both kids and parents!

This season offers a beautiful opportunity to guide our kids toward true thankfulness. And let’s be real for a moment—I’m not here to set some impossible standard or checklist for you to follow. I actually hate those ‘standards’ that are placed on mothers and children.

The goal isn’t to create a “must-have” list for gratitude that, if unmet, makes us feel like we’re falling short as parents, or we have ungrateful kids.

Nor is it about a once-a-year “thankfulness box” that gets checked off in November only to be forgotten the rest of the year. Instead, think of this as a chance to pause, reflect, and check-in on our lifestyle of gratitude.

For those of us focused on intentional parenting year-round, the holidays can be a natural way to spotlight these values in a way that feels meaningful. Let’s use this season as a “heart check”— an opportunity to make thankfulness a rhythm in our homes, not just a holiday task.

The Gratefulness Project is designed to help parents and children reflect on what they’re grateful for and develop habits of thankfulness. It’s a simple activity that can be done in just a couple minutes a day, around the dinner table, in the car, or on the couch. As in all of my family challenges, this one is simple and will combine family bonding with faith-based values.

Remember my belief –

discipleship does not have to be complicated to make an impact!

First, Take the “Gratitude Assessment” to see where you land. Don’t worry, it’s an easy less than 30 second detour that will help shape the Gratefulness Project to mean more to your family. Click here.

We are called to be grateful! Let’s be sure we are following Jesus in this way.

Where does Jesus call us to gratitude? You can draw attention to many places in the Bible, but I’ll highlight two here:

In Luke 17:11-19, Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one returns to thank Him. Jesus highlights the importance of gratitude by saying, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” His response shows that thankfulness is noticed and valued by God.

In Matthew 15 When Jesus feeds the 5,000, He begins by giving thanks. Before multiplying the loaves and fish, He thanks God, showing us that gratitude precedes abundance.

The Inspiration

I’ve been that parent who has wondered “Am I raising grateful kids?” and “Am I modeling gratefulness myself?” We can get really caught up on the day-to-day stressors so much so that we forget the blessings we have. Teaching gratitude is about fostering a heart of appreciation that can truly transform our perspective. The Gratefulness Project encourages us to think about the things, people, and moments we are grateful for and to understand that gratitude is a response to the blessings God has given.

Let’s Go!

For 10 days you are invited to reflect on one of the 10 Gratitude Prompts provided. Your goal is to open up a conversation and help kids (and yourself) think through different areas of gratitude, from family and friends to nature and simple joys.

1. Family Connections: What are you thankful for about your family?
2. Friendship Joys: Who is a friend you’re grateful for, and why?
3. Creation: What is something beautiful in nature you love?
4. Kindness: Think of a time when someone was kind to you. How did it make you feel?
5. Daily Provision: What’s something you use every day that you’re grateful for?
6. Fun Times: What was a fun moment that you are grateful to have experienced?
7. Lessons Learned: What’s something new you’ve learned that you’re thankful for?
8. Talents and Abilities: What is one of your talents, and why are you grateful for it?
9. Faith: What is something about God that you feel thankful for?
10. Simple Joys: What’s something small but meaningful that brings you happiness?

Why Gratitude Matters

When focusing on gratitude, kids can begin to see God’s hand in every part of life, even in the smallest things. Studies have shown that grateful children are more positive, compassionate, and resilient, carrying these benefits into adulthood. But beyond that, gratitude aligns us with God’s purpose—reminding us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

This project is more than just an activity—it’s a way to open children’s hearts to thankfulness and bring them closer to the heart of God. This Thanksgiving season, let’s grow in gratitude and joy with our families!

If you’d like the Gratefulness Project, and the 30 second assessment/tips for cultivating gratefulness, delivered to your inbox as an E-book, you can download it here.