A Thanksgiving Guide for Catholic Homeschooling Moms
Fostering a Heart of Gratitude
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for Catholic homeschooling moms to cultivate a sense of gratitude in our children. While Thanksgiving holds historical and cultural significance for Catholic families, it also presents a rich opportunity to recognize God’s abundant blessings. Here are some ideas to help you lead your children in developing a grateful heart this Thanksgiving, integrating faith and family traditions to create a season of true thanksgiving.
1. Root Gratitude in Scripture
Start by grounding the idea of gratitude in Scripture, teaching your children that being thankful is not just a holiday activity—it’s a daily calling. Verses like 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances,” and Psalm 107:1, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,” serve as a perfect foundation.
Activity Idea: Each morning, choose a different verse on thankfulness to memorize as a family. Discuss its meaning and how to apply it during the day. Encourage each child to journal about their blessings each evening, connecting the verse to their daily experiences.
2. Create a “Thanksgiving Tree
Crafting a Thanksgiving tree can be a fun, hands-on way to reinforce gratitude. This visual display helps children see the many things they can be thankful for in their lives.
Activity Idea: Make a simple tree with branches from your yard or use construction paper to design a tree on a wall. Each day leading up to Thanksgiving, have each child write down one thing they’re grateful for on a paper leaf and attach it to the tree. By Thanksgiving Day, your tree will be full of blessings to read aloud together as a family.
3. Teach Gratitude Through Service
An attitude of gratitude grows when children experience giving to others. Help them see that God’s gifts are meant to be shared by involving them in acts of service.
Activity Idea: Bake cookies, prepare meals, or make cards for a neighbor in need, an elderly relative, or a local charity. Explain how Jesus calls us to love our neighbor, and after the activity, talk about the joy that comes from giving. This firsthand experience reinforces that gratitude often follows generosity.
4. Make a Thanksgiving Prayer Booklet
Prayer is a beautiful way to express gratitude and can help children understand the depth of God’s gifts to us. A simple Thanksgiving prayer booklet can become a cherished family keepsake.
Activity Idea: Dedicate a small notebook as a family prayer journal. Each member writes or draws one thing they are thankful for and offers it up in prayer. For younger children, you could write down their responses and let them color or add stickers. Encourage your children to bring the prayer booklet to Thanksgiving dinner, where they can share their favorite entries.
5. Reflect on the Saints’ Example
Many saints exemplified lives of gratitude despite their trials. Sharing their stories can inspire your children to develop a grateful heart in all circumstances.
Saint to Highlight: St. Elizabeth of Hungary is an excellent example for Thanksgiving, as she dedicated her life to serving the poor and was known for her generous spirit. Share her story with your children and discuss how her love for God moved her to care for others.
Activity Idea: Choose a saint for each week of November and talk about how they expressed gratitude in their lives. Together, brainstorm how your family can follow the saint’s example through small acts of kindness.
Here are a few more saints who beautifully exemplified gratitude, even amid challenging
circumstances:
St. Francis of Assisi
Known for his profound love of creation and his simple lifestyle, St. Francis expressed gratitude for all of God’s creations, referring to nature as his “brother” and “sister.” Despite a life marked by poverty and suffering, he constantly thanked God and found joy in simplicity. His *Canticle of the Sun*, a hymn of praise, reflects his heart of gratitude for everything, from the sun to the moon and even “Sister Death.”
Family Activity: Read The Canticle of the Sun together and discuss how gratitude can transform the way we see the world around us.
St. Josephine Bakhita
Born in Sudan, St. Josephine was kidnapped as a child and endured years of enslavement and hardship. Yet after gaining her freedom and converting to Catholicism, she often said, “Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who do not know Him. What a great grace it is to know God!” Her gratitude for her faith and freedom was remarkable, showing how a heart of gratitude can grow from even the harshest experiences.
Family Activity: Share St. Josephine’s story and talk about how she remained thankful despite her challenges. Consider writing down one challenge and how God has helped your family through it as a way to cultivate gratitude.
These examples can help moms introduce stories of gratitude in a relatable way and inspire kids to appreciate their own blessings.
6. Set a Thanksgiving Table of Gratitude
Make Thanksgiving dinner a moment of reflection by setting a “table of gratitude.” This tradition turns a meal into an occasion to celebrate God’s blessings.
Activity Idea: During Thanksgiving dinner, go around the table and let each person share something they are grateful for from the past year. For younger children, you could use prompts such as “What are you thankful for in our family?” or “What has God given us that makes you happy?” Keep the focus on thanking God for these gifts.
7. Model Gratitude Daily
Children often learn more from our actions than our words. By modeling gratitude yourself, you can teach your children to adopt this same attitude in their own lives.
Daily Practice: Share one thing you’re grateful for each day, no matter how small. When challenges arise, show your children how to find the silver lining and thank God even in difficult moments. Modeling gratitude teaches them that thankfulness is not only for Thanksgiving but a lifelong habit.
8. Conclude Thanksgiving with a Family Rosary of Thanks
After a day of food, family, and fun, take a few quiet moments to give thanks as a family. The Rosary, especially the Joyful Mysteries, is a beautiful way to conclude the day in a spirit of gratitude for God’s blessings.
Activity Idea: Gather your family and pray a Thanksgiving Rosary together. For each decade, go around the circle, sharing one thing you’re thankful for and offering it up as an intention. This practice helps instill a deep and prayerful sense of gratitude.
Cultivating a Grateful Heart Beyond Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a beautiful start to a gratitude-filled life, but don’t let the spirit of thankfulness end with the holiday. Encourage your children to keep their gratitude journals, add to the Thanksgiving tree, and serve others year-round. Helping them develop a grateful heart will make a lasting impact on their faith and relationships, reminding them to always “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1).
Wishing you and your family a blessed and gratitude-filled Thanksgiving!
What are your thoughts on this topic? Join me and other homeschooling parents at our Homeschool Connections Community or our Facebook group to continue the discussion!
