This post is republished from Nov. 2013. Please feel free to grab the printable journal below and start your own gratitude journal!
Recently I started thinking about a post I wrote several years ago called Cultivating Gratitude in Preschoolers. Life has definitely changed since that time – we’ve encountered new seasons with growing children, difficult situations, loss of friends and family members, and various other lessons life has thrown our way. But in the midst of all this, my initial ideas for growing gratefulness in children have not really changed.
One of the top ways I have found to grow grateful kids is to model a life of thanksgiving!
I’m not saying I do it well. It definitely doesn’t come easy. I find myself grumbling and complaining about my lot in life more than I give thanks. And when I do…
I try to remember there is so much we can give thanks for!
Amazing grace, a family, a home, birds that sing, dishwashers that work, toilets, a new morning, a brisk fall day, sunshine, jeans, coffee, chocolate, cleaning supplies, soap, a job, a basket of toys, encouragement from friends, exercise, great books, and on an on.
I want to be the person who finds the good in all situations – the one with a thankful heart.
To be that women, I need a heart change.
So, here’s what I’m proposing. For the next 30 days, I’m making a list. And my children are making a list. Would you make a list?
It’s not a hard or difficult task. I’m simply asking myself and my girls to write down four things we are thankful for each day. The idea is to simply get in the habit of saying thanks to God and to those around us.
Would you join us?
If you don’t have a journal or notebook you want to use, I have a printable Thanksgiving Journal available for you! Print it out, cut on the lines, bind it together with some ribbon or rope, and add your thanks each day!
If you are having trouble printing the file, I found it to work best when I printed it in Firefox. Be sure to check the box that says “Actual Size”, otherwise the pages do not line up once you’ve cut them apart. I also recommend printing these pages on cardstock or some other heavier paper.
More Thanksgiving ideas:
- The Thankful Tree
- Thanksgiving Chain: A Simple Gratitude Activity for Families
- Thanksgiving Crafts, Snacks, and Activities for Kids
- Grateful Kids: Cultivating Thankfulness in Preschoolers
Find out about my eBook: Thanksgiving Heart: Cultivating Gratitude in Young Children. It’s on sale through Thanksgiving for just $2.99!
Deborah Jennings says
I am most thankful for a loving Father who forgiveness is never ending. An my family; even though we have our disagreements, we are there for each other when one of us is in need.
Stacie Nelson says
Yes!! So grateful for grace!
christie says
Thank you for the printable. I had just read an article about turning your life around. The #1 recommendation…become grateful and start a gratitude journal. I love this for a November activity but plan to make it a year round event!
Stacie Nelson says
I think that’s an awesome idea to do it year round! I plan to continue on as well. 🙂
Carla Marvin says
Downloaded this today and going to use with my 4 year old son! He has a serious issue with being thankful for things that he has and that people do for him…this will be a huge help/step in the right direction for teaching him 🙂
Stacie Nelson says
I hope it’s helpful for you!
Carmen says
I have been doing this on Facebook. Each day leading up to Thanksgiving, I post something I am thankful for. It’s humbling to find out just how rich my blessings are when I think I spend my entire life struggling. I just subscribed to your newsletter and you have no idea how much I’m looking forward to this journey with you!
Stacie Nelson says
I love your outlook! It is amazing how our attitude shifts once we begin to list all we are grateful for!
Thanks so much for following along with me!
Lois Jones says
This is so nice! I wish I had found it sooner. I will be sharing this with the kids at church and others as well. Thanks!