November always makes me think about gratitude, but honestly? I’ve learned that choosing gratitude is more than a Thanksgiving tradition. It’s what gets me through every single day. I’m endlessly grateful to be Reese and Jack’s mama. Thankful to have my job at ESPN and live this crazy life with Josh. Choosing gratitude helps every day seem more manageable.
When I choose gratitude, no matter what kind of day I’m having, it reminds me that even in the chaos, I’m surrounded by people I love. As moms, we all know how overwhelming life can get. But when we make that choice consistently, it changes everything. These 5 practices can help any of us choose gratitude even on the hardest days.
1. Make gratitude your first thought.
Gratitude lives in the details. Each morning, before I do anything else, I think about specific things that make my heart happy. So, it’s not just “Reese,” but the new way she pronounces “actually.” And it’s not just “my husband,” but how Josh can always make me smile even on the days I feel like I can’t. And “Jack?” It’s getting to watch him fall in love with baseball just like his daddy.
This practice forces me to stop and notice the little things that may seem like nothing but are really everything. By starting the day feeling grateful, you shift the focus to the goodness in your life.
2. Reframe the challenging moments.
Full transparency: Some days (and moments) as a mom are not cute. Fevers, crying, Jack taking his diaper off and peeing everywhere. You get it, right? But I find myself somehow thankful for those moments when my kids really need me. Those days leave me exhausted, but I’m so grateful to be their mom at all times.
Choosing gratitude doesn’t mean pretending the hard stuff isn’t hard. Instead, we can choose to look for the gifts hiding inside the mess. When our kids test every boundary we set, we can feel grateful that they feel secure enough to push back. Or when work pulls us away from home, we can choose gratitude for jobs that challenge us to grow. While a reframe doesn’t change what’s happening, it can completely change how we experience it.
3. Create gratitude rituals with your kids.
Gratitude gets even better when it becomes a family thing. The other day I asked Jack, “What did you like that you did today?” His answer? “Eat ice cream.” That’s it. That’s what made his whole day. This time of year, my daughter’s answer might include getting to record Reese’s Football Picks or hanging her favorite angel ornament on the tree.
These little conversations with our kids teach them to intentionally look for the good stuff. And their answers can remind us to find joy in something so simple. Whether it’s at dinner, in the car, or during the bedtime routine, asking your kids about their favorite moments creates this rhythm of thankfulness that becomes part of your family’s DNA.
4. Notice the background blessings.
As a sideline reporter, I’ve gotten pretty good at watching for the stories that happen beyond the main action, like the teammates hyping each other up or a coach giving a player a high five when he comes off the field. Those moments don’t always make it on camera, but I see them.
Turns out, the same skill works in motherhood. While I’m focused on tasks at hand like making breakfast, getting the kids dressed, or cleaning up spills, blessings are happening all around. It’s Reese offer to share a bite of her biscuit or the sleepy-eyed grin Jack gives me. These aren’t the headline moments, but they’re the steady goodness happening around us all the time.
5. Put gratitude where you can see it.
I gotta be honest. On the really tough days, thankfulness doesn’t always come easily. That’s when I’ll scroll through photos and find one of Reese eating a popsicle poolside, or I’ll rewatch a video just to hear Jack pronounce “cozy” as he snuggles on the couch. Seeing those moments again reminds me why I choose gratitude.
As moms, we all need a little reset button every now and then. When everything feels like too much, seeing our kids’ faces or hearing their sweet voices reminds us that we get to be their mama. And that’s the best reason to choose gratitude every single day.
What helps you choose gratitude when life feels overwhelming?
