With Thanksgiving sneaking up faster than a toddler with sticky hands, I’ve decided to embark on a quest to bring more gratitude into my life. But not just any gratitude—I’m talking about the nitty-gritty, barely-holding-on, hilariously messy kind of gratitude. You know, the kind that makes you grateful for all the little chaos-infused joys of motherhood that usually have you hiding in the pantry with a chocolate bar by 3 p.m.
So here’s the plan: 28 days, 28 nights, and 28 reasons to give thanks for mom life. Not the easy stuff like coffee, babysitters, and the precious moments when all the kids are actually asleep. No, I’m digging deeper than that. I’m determined to find the good in the things that make me sigh, laugh, and maybe roll my eyes a little.
Why Am I Doing This?
I’ll be honest: most days, “thankful” isn’t the first word that comes to mind when I’m dealing with a living room littered with LEGOs or a threenager questioning my every move. But here’s the thing—this wild, messy season of motherhood won’t last forever (allegedly). One day, I’ll look back on these chaotic days and realize that they were the “good ol’ days,” so why not start appreciating them now?
Plus, it’s almost Thanksgiving, and everyone else will be busy posting pumpkin pie recipes and perfectly roasted turkeys. Meanwhile, I’ll be over here giving thanks for the slightly burnt chicken nuggets and the mystery stains that decorate my living room.
What’s the Challenge?
Every night, I’ll post about one thing that I’m (kind of, sort of) grateful for. Here’s the kicker—I’m focusing on the parts of mom life that typically test my patience rather than inspire gratitude. The sticky fingers, the piles of laundry, the toy avalanches, and the threenager sass… all of it is fair game. It might sound crazy, but I’m convinced that with a bit of humor (and possibly a large cup of coffee), I can find joy in these tiny “blessings.”
A Hilarious Recap of Days 1-7
Day 1: Thankful for…Laundry (Yes, You Read That Right)
We’re starting strong with the monster that never sleeps—laundry. In a family of six, “done” is a pipe dream, and Mount Washmore is a permanent fixture in my living room. But hey, every sock tells a story, even if most of those stories involve me wondering where its mate ran off to.
Day 2: Grateful for Crayon Masterpieces and Sticky Fingerprints (The Decor That Stays Forever)
Today, I’m focusing on the art gallery known as my walls, featuring sticky fingerprints and crayon murals by my very own mini Picassos. Sure, it’s not exactly “House Beautiful” material, but these smudges represent creativity and the love of a home that’s alive with little voices.
Day 3: Thankful for…Noise (And the Soundtrack to My Sanity Slowly Slipping Away)
Between the toy-dumping symphony and the relentless sibling “debates,” my house sounds like a chaotic kid orchestra, heavy on percussion. But I know one day I’ll miss the noise, so today, I’m raising a toast (and maybe some earplugs) to the joyful chaos.
Day 4: Thankful for Lack of Sleep (Who Needs REM Anyway?)
It’s day four, and I’m taking a moment to honor my sleepless nights. Sure, sleep is a distant memory, but every midnight cuddle and whispered “Mommmm” reminds me that I’m their safe space—even if it means running on coffee and sheer willpower.
Day 5: Thankful for My Mom Bod (Saggy Bits and All)
Forget supermodels—today, I’m giving thanks for my own personal “mom bod.” It might be lived-in and well-worn, but it’s also created life, survived countless rounds of toddler gymnastics, and carried my kids (and every snack ever) for years. Here’s to my body for being real, resilient, and ready for anything… except trampolines.
Day 6: Thankful for Mom Brain (and Forgetting Why I’m in This Room)
Today, it’s all about that foggy phenomenon known as Mom Brain, the thing that lets me remember everyone’s snack preferences but forgets why I walked into the pantry. It’s chaotic, it’s messy, and it’s a sure sign that my brain is constantly juggling, and maybe that’s kind of amazing.
Day 7: Thankful for Threenager Sass (She’s a Tiny You, and You Kind of Love It)
Finally, I’m celebrating my threenager’s fierce independence and endless sass. Sure, she’s a tiny lawyer in pajamas, ready to argue over every snack and bedtime story, but I can already see that her strength and confidence will carry her far.
Why Should You Join Me?
Moms, I know it can be tough to see the silver lining when the days are sticky, loud, and just a bit too real. But imagine how fun it’ll be to challenge yourself to find gratitude in the absurdities of motherhood. You might just laugh, roll your eyes, and (hopefully) come out the other side with a new appreciation for the everyday moments.
So, if you’re up for a challenge that’s part therapy, part comedy, join me! Let’s create a community of moms giving thanks for the little things, the “are you kidding me?” moments, and the blessings that are sometimes hidden under the clutter and crumbs. Use the hashtag #GratefulMomChallenge, and share your own “thankful” moments—whether it’s cold coffee, unsolved mysteries like “Where’s my other shoe?” or the sheer joy of bedtime finally arriving.
Ready to Laugh Your Way Through November?
This is your official invite to take on the #GratefulMomChallenge and rediscover the magic in your everyday life. Let’s embrace the sticky-fingered chaos, the moments of near-meltdown, and the daily love notes (even if they come in crayon on the wall). It’s Thanksgiving season, after all. Time to give thanks—for the mess, the noise, and the beautiful, blessed chaos of mom life.
So go on, take a deep breath, grab some chocolate, and let’s find the funny in the frenzy. Because someday, we’ll look back and realize these really were the good ol’ days.
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Disclaimer: While the ideas and the bulk of the brilliance are all mine, I confess that I enlisted the help of ChatGPT for minor edits and revisions. Why? Because AI is the friendliest grammarian I know—no red pen, no judgment, just pure, unadulterated love for a well-placed comma. So if you find any rogue semicolons or unnaturally perfect phrasing, you can thank my digital editor for that.
