Gratitude, the gift that keeps on giving!
Thanksgiving always nudges us toward gratitude—but for parents of teens, gratitude is more than a holiday theme. It’s a tool. A mindset. A quiet superpower in our parenting toolbox that not only supports our own wellbeing but also models something powerful for our teens.
As I’ve said before: our voice becomes their voice.
They absorb our energy more than our lectures. So when we make space for gratitude—real gratitude, not the performative kind—they feel it. We can’t force our teens to be grateful (I mean, I do in my classroom…), but at home, what matters isn’t demanding it—it’s demonstrating it. It’s letting them witness what it looks like to search for the good and name it, even in the chaos.
And let’s be honest: we have a lot on our plates.
Our generation of parenting is navigating an entirely new landscape—prioritizing mental health, monitoring screens, supporting emotional wellness, all while many of us are parenting our parents. Trying to teach an older generation about mental health and AI scam bots— It’s a lot! We could complain for days (and sometimes we do). But gratitude gives us an anchor. A lens shift. A way to see our daily responsibilities not just as burdens but as signs of a full life—parents still with us, teens in our homes, and the opportunity to shape the life we want.
Here’s the real secret about gratitude: intention.
It only works when it’s specific. “I’m grateful for my family” is lovely, but vague gratitude loses its power. The magic happens when we zoom in:
I’m thankful my kids cleaned their space without me asking.
I’m grateful that traffic gave me extra time with my favorite Podcast- Good Hang with Amy Poehler, in case you’re wondering!
I’m thankful for the rainy day because it forced me to slow down.
Every day, gratitude asks us to look again—to find a new reason. That’s where the shift happens.
Three years ago, I started doing gratitude journals with my wellness classes. I participated alongside my students, and honestly, I wouldn’t have believed in gratitude if I hadn’t experienced the change myself. I started scanning the day for the good. Tiny moments became meaningful. Life didn’t get easier—but my lens got clearer.
And our teens need this. They need reminders to slow down, to look up from the big picture and live in the present. When they hear us naming the good—regularly, casually, honestly—they slowly begin to do it on their own.
Part two of gratitude is just as important: share it.
When we express appreciation—out loud, in writing, or through small acts—it boosts the other person and boosts us. It’s like that electric feeling when you’re excited to give someone a gift: science shows that making someone else feel good actually increases our happiness too. (A little built-in feedback loop of kindness—who knew!)
So as we wrap up Thanksgiving, and head in deeper to the holiday season, I want to end with this:
I am genuinely grateful for this community.
My voice is nothing without your ears. Your messages, your encouragement, your willingness to share my work with other parents—that is why I started Teen Connections, and it’s what keeps me showing up.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for raising teens with me. And thank you for helping build a community rooted in connection, compassion, and yes—gratitude.
Your Friend,
Caitlin
