To be thankful means to appreciate the things or people in your life, as many quotes on thankfulness explain. It also means to show a positive response when someone does something nice for you, helps you, or gives you something. Showing thankfulness does not come naturally for everyone, and it is something that has to be learned and practiced.
When it comes to your kids, it is good to remember that thankfulness is a learned trait. Children often do not understand things until they are explained and taught to them. So, while you are gaining inspiration from these quotes on thankfulness, you should share them with your kids, too.
Sharing these quotes on thankfulness with your kids will help both of you remember them better. Plus, you will be giving your kids a new perspective on thankfulness, which can help them better understand.
The next time you or one of your kids is struggling with being thankful, you can remind one another of these quotes on thankfulness. They will give inspiration and remind you of all the great things you already have in your life.
Fifteen Quotes on Thankfulness to Share with Your Kids
1. “It isn’t what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart.” – Unknown
No matter what you have, you must have a thankful heart. Without a thankful heart, you will never be happy with what you have. With a thankful heart, however, you will be happy with anything you have, even if it is not a lot.
2. “When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.” – Tecumseh
There is always something in your life to be thankful for. The food you have and the blessing of waking up each day are enough.
If you cannot be thankful, remember that it is because of your heart and mind. No one and nothing else can make you happy or thankful, because it is entirely up to you.
3. “This a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.” – Maya Angelou
Each new day is a blessing, as Angelou points out. It is a chance to start new, and it is a clean slate for a better day to come.
If you can think this way when you wake up, thankfulness will not be an issue. Share this quote with your kids so they know something as simple as a new day is worthy of gratitude.
4. “For me, every hour is grace. And I feel gratitude in my heart each time I can meet someone and look at his or her smile.” – Elie Wiesel
Each moment of your life is a blessing. So, be grateful for every smile you receive from a friend, loved one, or stranger. You will learn to have a thankful heart if you do this, and you will always have a reason to be happy.
5. “Silent gratitude isn’t very much use to anyone.” – Gertrude Stein
If you are grateful for someone or something, you must show it or tell them. By keeping it to yourself, no one will know that you are grateful. Make sure you show thanks and gratitude always.
6. “It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.” – Germany Kent
When you feel your mind and heart with things you are grateful for, your life will change. You will no longer fixate on the things you do not have.
As you go through your day, notice all of the things in your life that are great. Plus, if you teach your kids this, as well, you can work together to point out things to be thankful for.
7. “Gratitude and attitude are not challenges; they are choices.” – Robert Braathe
You can be thankful and have a positive attitude no matter what you encounter. These are not problems to overcome, as Braathe explains, but instead, they are choices. If you simply choose to show gratitude, it will happen.
8. “We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” – John F. Kennedy
Telling and showing people when you are thankful for them is essential. Make sure to always make the time in your day to thank people so that they know how much they mean to you. They will feel good about it and you will, too.
9. “Be thankful for what you have, you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey
When you are thankful for what you already have, you will seem to gain more. Each day, you will encounter something new to be thankful for when you live this way.
On the other hand, if you always focus on what you do not have, you will never feel satisfied. The sooner you discover this secret of life, the easier it will be to live with a grateful heart. Make sure to share this quote on thankfulness with your kids so that they can get started right away.
10. “Thanks for this day, for all birds safe in their nests, for whatever this is, for life.” – Barbara Kingsolver
You can be thankful for any part of your day, even the seemingly normal and simple things. From the birds and other animals, to simply having a new day to look forward to, you can find something. Teach your kids to find little things to show gratitude for.
11. “The heart that gives thanks is a happy one, for we cannot feel thankful and unhappy at the same time.” – Douglas Wood
Without being thankful for what you have, you will not ever be happy. If you choose to have a thankful heart, though, you will live happily. As Wood explains, you will not be unhappy if you are feeling thankful.
12. “Piglet noticed that even though he had a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude.” – A.A. Milne
This is one of the best quotes on thankfulness to share with your kids because it comes from a children’s book. No matter how small you feel, you can have just as much thankfulness as anyone else. If you can stop feeling like you are lacking, you will see just how much you have.
13. “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy
Simply saying that you are thankful is not enough. You also have to act on that gratitude and show people that you are grateful. Spend time with them, do kind things, and show them how you feel.
14. “Do not indulge in dreams of having what you have not, but reckon up the chief of the blessings you do possess, and then thankfully remember how you would crave for them if they were not yours.” – Marcus Aurelius
If you find yourself wishing for things you do not have, change your thinking process. Instead, think of the things you have such as the roof over your head, the food you eat, or the people in your life. Then, imagine your life without these things.
When you do this, you will see just how many great things you have in your life. It will give you an entirely new perspective. The things you would hate to not have are the things you should be most thankful for.
15. “It’s not so much what we have in this life that matters. It’s what we do with what we have.” – Fred Rogers
As Mr. Rogers explains, it does not matter how much or what you have. If you can utilize what you have and make the most of it, you will be happy. Focus only on what you have and you will never need more.
Final Thoughts on Quotes on Thankfulness to Share with Your Kids
Being thankful is an important quality to have, and an important one to teach your kids. It will lead to living a happier life and will prevent you from constantly feeling like you are lacking something. You will learn to appreciate what you already have.
When you teach this quality to your kids, it will help them grow up with an appreciative mind. Plus, it will prevent them from becoming sad or envious when they see other kids with things they do not have. It will also help prevent tantrums and whining when you have to tell them ‘no’.
These quotes on thankfulness are great ones to share with your kids. It will help them understand what it means to be thankful and why it is important. These quotes on thankfulness will also help you remember to always be thankful.
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