Living a Grateful Life This Thanksgiving (and All Year Long)
Homeschool
Audio By Carbonatix
It’s hard to believe it’s been over seven years since our family embarked on the adventure of living a grumble-free life. We started in August 2017, and by Thanksgiving of that year, our lives took an unexpected turn—Grandma broke her back. Then came a healing season and our long-anticipated cruise in August 2018, followed by the release of The Grumble-Free Year in November 2019.
Since then, I’ve been asked one question over and over again:
“Have you kept going?”
And the answer is yes—though not perfectly.
If anything, writing about living with less grumbling helped me place gratitude at the front of my mind and gave our family a language to return to when things get hard.
And as homeschoolers, we’ve learned that a grateful life is a powerful lesson—one best lived out loud, especially during the Thanksgiving season.
Turning “Less Grumbling” Into a Homeschool Lifestyle
Whether you’re knee-deep in read-alouds or managing teens with packed schedules, here are practical ways to cultivate a culture of gratitude in your home—no matter the season.
1. Start With God’s Word
Gratitude begins in our thoughts, and that’s where Scripture leads the way. Paul reminds us:
“We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
— 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
Our minds naturally look for problems, especially when life feels chaotic (hello, homeschool mornings!). When I feel that familiar grumble rising—whether it’s about messy rooms, missed assignments, or my to-do list—I try to:
- Pause and pray.
- Look for a solution.
- Turn my mind toward gratitude.
That might mean thanking God for healthy kids even in the mess, or for the chance to disciple my children, even when the day feels long.
2. Make Gratitude Part of Your Homeschool Day
- Morning Gratitude Journals: Start your day with each child writing or drawing one thing they’re thankful for.
- Gratitude Memory Verse: Choose a verse to memorize together.
- Try Psalm 100:4: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
- Thankful Circle Time: Before lunch or during morning basket, go around and share one blessing.
3. Spend Time With Someone You Love
Whether it’s one-on-one time with a child or an afternoon tea with Grandma, these moments fill our love tanks—and help us live more joyfully.
4. Plan a Small Adventure
Even if it’s just a fall walk or baking pumpkin muffins together, planning something “extra” helps build excitement and connection. Gratitude often grows in the soil of shared experience.
5. Pray for Someone Else
Lift up friends, family, or even those you don’t know well. Helping your kids create a Thanksgiving prayer list gives them perspective and reminds them how much they’ve been given.
7 More Ways to Grow Gratitude in Your Homeschool Home
- Seek 5 Minutes of Quiet – Step outside. Take a breath. Reset.
- Spend Time in Nature – Point out God’s creation. Let wonder lead to worship.
- Thank Your Kids – A simple “thank you” for chores or cheerful attitudes models appreciation.
- Thank Your Spouse – Gratitude between parents is powerful for children to witness.
- Read Aloud Books About Gratitude – Fiction and nonfiction stories shape hearts.
- Listen to Worship Music – Let praise set the tone in your homeschool.
- Offer Praise to God – Even when it’s hard.
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”
— Hebrews 13:15 (NIV)
Praise is a sacrifice—it costs us something. Our time. Our attention. Our control. But when we lay down those things, what we gain is far greater: a heart aligned with Christ.
Create a Thanksgiving Gratitude Printable
I love visuals. They help keep truth front and center. Create a gratitude board with your kids where they can:
- Add sticky notes of things they’re thankful for.
- Draw pictures of blessings.
- Record answered prayers or family milestones.
You can also download this free printable PDF as a daily reminder to live a grateful life.
Listen to the Gratitude of Others
Want more encouragement? I chatted with Yvette Hampton on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast a few years ago about having a Grumble-Free Homeschool. The tips are simple, practical, and helpful for any home—especially during the holidays.
Listen while you:
- Fold laundry
- Wait in the carpool line
- Chop veggies for Thanksgiving dinner
A Thanksgiving Prayer for Grateful Homes
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the gift of this home and this calling to homeschool. When the days feel long and the noise feels loud, help me choose gratitude over grumbling. Teach me to take my thoughts captive, to pause, and to praise. Grow in my children hearts that are tender, joyful, and thankful. Let this Thanksgiving season be more than a holiday—it’s a lifestyle of thankfulness for all You’ve done.
Amen.
Keep the Grumble-Free Life Going
If you’ve read The Grumble-Free Year, you know we didn’t get it perfect—but we learned a lot. And we’re still learning.
Let this Thanksgiving season be a fresh start toward a home marked by peace, joy, and hearts that give thanks in all things.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
You’ve got this, mama. One thankful thought at a time.
Suggested Resources:
- The Grumble-Free Year by Tricia Goyer
- Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom
- The One Year Book of Amish Peace – daily devotions to foster quiet hearts
