As homeschool parents, we often focus on teaching our children essential academic skills—math, reading, science. But what if I told you there’s something even more fundamental that can set your children up for success, not only in homeschool but in life? That “something” is an attitude of gratitude.
Gratitude isn’t just about saying “thank you” when someone holds the door open. It’s a powerful mindset that can shift the way our children see the world, themselves, and their ability to grow and succeed. And the best part? As parents, we have the opportunity to model and teach this life-changing habit every day.
The Problem: Negative Mindset = Frustration in Homeschooling
You’ve probably seen it. Your child is staring at a math problem, frustrated, maybe even in tears. They say things like, “I’ll never get this,” or “I’m just not good at math.” They’re stuck in a fixed mindset, where they believe their abilities are set in stone. Sound familiar?
As homeschool parents, we want our children to believe that with effort, practice, and perseverance, they can grow and improve in any area of life. But how do we shift that mindset?
This is where gratitude comes in.
The Shift: How Gratitude Builds a Growth Mindset
Gratitude is about recognizing the good, even in challenging situations. When we teach our children to be grateful, we’re teaching them to see the bigger picture. Gratitude helps them move away from focusing on what they can’t do, and instead, they start to see what they can do, what they have learned, and what opportunities are still ahead of them.
Think about it: when we encourage our children to say things like, “I’m thankful I have the chance to learn this,” or “I’m grateful I can ask for help when I need it,” they start shifting their focus from frustration to possibility. They begin to see that challenges aren’t roadblocks—they’re opportunities to grow. This is the essence of a growth mindset.
Parenting with Gratitude: Raising Wholehearted Children
In homeschooling, we’re not just raising students; we’re raising wholehearted children. What does it mean to parent with gratitude? It means leading by example and showing our children how to look for the good, even in difficult situations. It’s about teaching them to focus on what they have, not what they lack.
When you foster an attitude of gratitude in your home, you’re instilling values that go far beyond academic success. You’re building good character. Grateful children are more likely to be kind, empathetic, and resilient. They learn to appreciate the little things—like a sibling’s help, a warm meal, or even the chance to try again after a mistake
How to Incorporate Gratitude into Your Homeschool Day
So, how can you begin to cultivate gratitude in your homeschool? Here are a few simple ideas:
- Start a Gratitude Journal
Encourage your children to write down one or two things they are grateful for each day in a gratitude journal. It could be as small as enjoying a favorite snack during break time or as big as mastering a new concept. Over time, they’ll start to recognize that even on tough days, there’s always something to be thankful for. - Model Gratitude
As parents, our kids are watching us. When we model gratitude—saying “thank you” often, appreciating the little things, and expressing thanks for the opportunities we have—we teach our children how to do the same. Verbally share what you’re thankful for during meals or as part of your morning routine. - Turn Mistakes into Gratitude Opportunities
Instead of viewing mistakes as failures, use them as a chance to be grateful for learning experiences. When your child struggles with a lesson, encourage them to say, “I’m grateful I have more time to work on this.” It may feel awkward at first, but with practice, it can become second nature. - Gratitude Reflections
At the end of your homeschool day, take a few minutes to reflect as a family. Ask each child to share one thing they’re grateful for from the day. This simple exercise can help them end on a positive note, no matter how challenging the day was.
The Result: Homeschool Success and More
When you teach your children to approach life with an attitude of gratitude, you are setting them up for success. They will learn that their abilities are not fixed, that they can grow, improve, and overcome challenges. Gratitude helps them see the positives in homeschooling and life, and it builds strong character traits like resilience, kindness, and empathy.
Parenting wholehearted children isn’t easy, but with gratitude at the core of your homeschooling journey, you can create an environment where your children thrive—not just academically, but emotionally and spiritually.
You Can Start Today
If you want your children to embrace a growth mindset and develop good character, begin by fostering an attitude of gratitude. It’s a simple shift that can have a profound impact on your homeschool success—and it starts with you. So, what are you grateful for today?
Sara Jordan is the blogger behind Heart and Soul Homeschooling, a site created in 2008 to encourage and equip homeschool moms to confidently provide a delight-directed education to their children. She is a mom of three homeschooled daughters. Sara is also a writer, speaker and homeschool consultant. She has a degree in Social Work with an emphasis on Early Childhood Development, which began her interest in educational alternatives like homeschooling. She enjoys creating and sharing unit studies, lapbooks, and more hands-on learning resources to help homeschool families find the fun in lifelong learning. You can connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter (X), Instagram, and her Amazon author page.
