Gratitude in the Chaos

Motherhood can often feel chaotic, with schedules, to-do lists and never-ending tasks pulling us in different directions. Yet, in the midst of the hustle and bustle, there is an opportunity to cultivate gratitude. The beauty of gratitude is that it doesn’t require perfect circumstances—it can flourish in the midst of everyday life, even when things feel messy. 

Gratitude in motherhood isn’t about ignoring the hard moments; it’s about choosing to see the beauty woven into the everyday chaos. It’s about learning to find thankfulness in the small, often overlooked moments of the day and allowing those moments to bring a deeper sense of joy. 

The Power of Choosing Gratitude 

Gratitude is a powerful practice that can transform our outlook on life. Research shows that practicing gratitude regularly leads to greater happiness, improved emotional well-being, and stronger relationships. For moms, gratitude can be the key to finding more joy in the everyday moments of motherhood. 

When we choose gratitude, we shift our focus from what’s lacking to what’s abundant. Instead of dwelling on what didn’t go right in a day, we begin to notice the small blessings—the laughter of our children, the comfort of home and the love shared within our family. 

How to Cultivate Gratitude in the Chaos 

Finding gratitude in the middle of chaos doesn’t mean pretending that everything is perfect. It simply means choosing to notice and appreciate the small joys, even when life feels overwhelming. Here are a few practical ways to practice gratitude in the midst of everyday motherhood: 

1. Start the Day with Gratitude.
   Before the day gets busy, take a moment to pause and reflect on one thing to be grateful for. It could be something as simple as a quiet moment before the kids wake up or the warmth of the sun shining through the window. Beginning the day with gratitude sets a positive tone for whatever comes next.
2. Look for the Little Things.
   Ever notice how we as human beings tend to home in on the negative? Sometimes, it feels like it’s so much easier to find what’s wrong and mumble a complaint than to find what’s right and say a prayer of thanks. The good news is that we can re-train our brains to look for the good. I had a friend once tell me how she thanks God for something as simple as colors (yep, like the concept of color)—something most of us take for granted! Throughout the day, make a habit of noticing the small moments of beauty and joy. It could be the sound of your child’s laughter, the way they hug you after a long day, or even the peaceful quiet after bedtime. These small moments of connection and joy can become a source of gratitude.
3. Reframe the Challenging Moments.
   Motherhood is full of challenges—tantrums, sleepless nights and the demands of daily life can feel overwhelming. But even in these hard moments, there is often something to be thankful for. Reframing a challenging situation can help shift perspective. For example, instead of feeling frustrated by the mess left after playtime, try focusing on the joy that your child had while playing!
4. Keep a Gratitude Journal.
   At the end of each day, take a few minutes to write down one or two things that brought a sense of gratitude. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate; simply jotting down small moments can help build a habit of thankfulness. You could do this in a physical journal (either simple or fancy—you choose!) or even an app on your phone—whether it’s the simple notes app that comes with the phone or a special journalling app, it’s totally up to you. Over time, this practice can help shift the focus from what went wrong to what went right. If you lack inspiration on a given day, go back and re-read previous entries for inspiration, or simply thank Christ for his sacrifice for humanity.
5. Share Gratitude with Your Kids.
   Modeling gratitude for your children is one of the best ways to teach them the practice of thankfulness. Make it a family habit to share something you’re grateful for each day. Send it up in a prayer of thanks to God. Whether it’s during dinner, before bedtime, or while driving in the car, these moments of gratitude become a way of connecting and fostering positivity in the family.Finding Gratitude in the Imperfections

It’s easy to feel like everything has to be “just right” in order to be grateful, but that’s far from the truth. Gratitude is about finding beauty in the imperfections, joy in the little things, and thankfulness in the moments that often go unnoticed. 

Motherhood, in all its messiness, is full of opportunities to practice gratitude. It’s the bedtime snuggles after a long day, the joy in seeing your child learn something new, or the peace that comes when the house is finally quiet. These moments, while not perfect, are worth celebrating. 

Gratitude as a Lifelong Practice 

Gratitude isn’t something that happens automatically; it’s a practice. It’s a choice that we make, even in the midst of chaos, to focus on the blessings that are present. As moms, we have the opportunity to cultivate this practice not only for ourselves but also for our children. 

By finding gratitude in the everyday moments of motherhood, we’re teaching our kids to look for the good in life. We’re showing them that joy isn’t found in perfect circumstances but in the way we choose to see the world around us. 

So even in the middle of the chaos, let’s take a moment to pause, breathe and notice the good. Because when we choose gratitude, we choose joy—no matter how busy or messy life may be.