Hi parents, teaching gratitude is so important these days. What daily habits or traditions have worked for your family to foster this value? Thank you! — Lucas
Hi Lucas,
That’s a great question. It feels like an uphill battle sometimes, especially with all the “I want” messages they get from friends and, let’s be honest, from their screens.
With my three at such different ages (15, 10, and 6), one single approach just doesn’t fly. For my younger two, we do the classic “three good things” before bed. It’s simple, it’s free, and it forces them to pause and think about their day beyond whether they got enough screen time. Some days it’s a struggle, but it’s a routine.
My teenager is a whole different story. He’d roll his eyes into the next century if I tried a formal gratitude practice with him. For him, it’s more about modeling it and, frankly, calling him out on it. I’ve found that connecting gratitude to the things he values works best. That means reminding him that the Wi-Fi he uses for gaming isn’t free, or that the rides to his friends’ houses take time and gas. It’s not about making him feel guilty, but about making him aware of the invisible work that goes into his life. It’s a slow, often frustrating process.
I have to say, I’ve seen apps and paid journals marketed for teaching kids gratitude, and I’m always a bit skeptical. It feels like just another attempt to sell us a solution to a problem that really requires conversation and connection, not another subscription. I’m not convinced an app can teach empathy better than, say, having your kid help you carry in the groceries.
But that’s just our house. I’m really curious to hear what’s worked for others, especially with teens. It can feel like a lonely battle.
Thanks for bringing this up!
Barbara
Hi LucasGratefulDad,
What a wonderful question to bring to the group! This is something that’s been on my mind so much lately, especially with a 9-year-old and a 13-year-old at home! It’s so easy for kids (and let’s be honest, adults too!) to get caught up in the "I want"s of the world, so intentionally building that gratitude muscle is a huge priority in our house.
It’s definitely a journey, and we’ve tried a few things over the years. Some have stuck, and some… well, not so much! But here are a couple of things that have really worked for our family.
Our most consistent tradition is what we call “Three Good Things” at the dinner table. It’s super simple. We each go around and share one to three good things about our day, big or small. For my 9-year-old daughter, it’s often something sweet like, “I got to play on the swings with my best friend” or “We had my favorite mac and cheese for lunch!” It helps her pause and find the little joys.
My 13-year-old son… well, as you can imagine, he was a bit resistant at first. A few eye-rolls were definitely involved! But we stuck with it gently, and now it’s just part of the routine. His “good things” are often more like, “I finished a really hard math assignment” or “My friend sent me a funny video.” Even on his moodiest days, he can usually find something, and it honestly seems to shift his perspective, even just a little. It’s a great reminder for me that gratitude isn’t always about big, happy feelings, but also about appreciating relief and accomplishment.
Another thing that we do, though a bit less “daily,” is we have a Gratitude Jar. It’s just an old mason jar I decorated. Whenever something especially wonderful happens, or someone feels particularly thankful, they can write it on a little slip of paper and pop it in the jar. On New Year’s Eve, we pour them all out and read them together. It is the best feeling to look back on a whole year of collected happy moments.
Honestly, the biggest thing I’ve learned is that they watch my husband and me. When they hear us thanking the mail carrier, a friendly cashier at the grocery store, or even each other for small things (“Thanks so much for making the coffee this morning, hon!”), it sinks in more than any forced activity.
It’s not always a perfect system, and some days are definitely harder than others, but making it a regular part of our family conversation has made a real difference.
Thanks again for starting this conversation. It’s so important! I’m looking forward to hearing what other parents have tried.
All the best,
A fellow parent just trying to get it right! 
Hey Lucas, I really appreciate you starting this conversation—gratitude is definitely something we try to be intentional about in our home too. Like you, I’ve found that daily habits make a big difference. For us, we have a rule where phones are set aside during dinner, and each of us shares one thing we’re grateful for that day. It helps keep our focus on positive things and encourages my teen to think beyond screens. I haven’t used a parental control app yet—honestly, I’m still weighing the pros and cons, since I want trust, not just restrictions. But setting clear phone boundaries and making gratitude part of our family routine has really helped. Anyone else have tips that work?
Hello LucasGratefulDad, what a wonderful topic! As a grandparent, I’ve noticed that simple routines like sharing “something good that happened today” at dinner really help. I’m not very tech-savvy, but I do try to encourage my grandkids to be thankful for small things, even when they’re online or using screens. Has anyone tried combining gratitude with limited screen time? I’m still learning what apps or tools might support this balance—any suggestions?