It's A Single Mom Thing

Power-Up Pep Talk: Raising Grateful Kids

• Shepherd's Village • Season 5 • Episode 37

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In this short, sassy Power-Up Pep Talk, Sherry gets real about the struggle of raising grateful kids (and teens… and even those grown kids who still need reminders). If you’ve ever looked at your child and thought, “Ask me for one more thing without saying thank you, and I’m donating your toys to the nearest church rummage sale,” this episode is your new best friend.

Packed with laughter, outrageous-but-effective parenting tips, and a heartfelt reminder that gratitude starts in the everyday moments, this episode delivers quick wisdom for busy moms who want to build thankful homes—without losing their sanity.

You’ll learn fun ways to teach gratitude, how to set boundaries (even with adult kids), and creative “gratitude hacks” to shift the vibe in your home. And yes… you’ll discover the sacred parenting strategy of eating one of their fries.

Sherry wraps it all in faith, humor, and a family challenge to bless someone together today.
 Plus, if you need a little backup when the attitude hits hard, you can always call our 24-hour prayer line at 855-822-PRAY.

Perfect for:

  • Single moms
  • Christian moms
  • Busy moms looking for quick encouragement
  • Parents raising grateful kids
  • Moms needing a laugh and a lift
  • Anyone teaching gratitude at home


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It's a Single Mom Thing, Not the Single Thing That Stops You!

SPEAKER_00:

Welcome to It's a Single Mom Thing, the show for single moms by single moms. This is Sherry, your host, and I am happy you are here today. Remember, it's a single mom thing, and not the simple thing that stops you.

SPEAKER_01:

Welcome to today's Power Up Pet Talk, also known as gratitude. Because whining is not a love language. At least not in my book. So I want to apologize ahead of time. Um, just outside my window, the guys are trimming the trees at the exact time that I am doing this. So if you hear a little chainsaw action, um, there's not a massacre going on, there's just some trees getting a haircut. So let me ask you this have you ever looked at your kid and thought, I love you. But if you ask me for one more thing without saying thank you, I'm gonna donate all of your toys to the nearest church rummage sale today. Yep, same. I thought so. So today we are talking about raising grateful kids, and we're gonna keep it fun, honest, and totally outrageous because let's be real, parenting requires some dark humor and divine intervention. And listen, just because my son isn't living at home anymore doesn't mean that I am off the hook either. Oh no, I still have to put boundaries in place so he doesn't take me for granted. Apparently, gratitude training doesn't end at 22. It just gets more uh, let's say, creative. But here's the truth gratitude doesn't grow in perfect conditions, am I right? It grows in everyday moments. Like, let's say, for example, in the car rides, in the late night techs, in the did you seriously just ask me that conversations? Gratitude, well, it's caught as much as it's taught. And ladies, you're modeling more than you realize. So let's laugh our way through this. Come on, let's learn something real and maybe just maybe raising some humans who don't act like you are their personal Uber eats. Welcome back to another episode of It's a Single Mom Thing. The gratitude struggle is real. Alright, mama, so let's dive in because listen, raising grateful kids isn't for the faint of heart. Oh no. Honestly, some days I feel like teaching gratitude is harder than potty training. And at least potty training comes with some stickers. You know that moment when your kid walks into the kitchen, looks at the food you made with your own two tired hands at the end of your workday, and says, Uh, this again? And suddenly you are mentally drafting the adoption paperwork for your own child. Yeah, that gratitude doesn't seem to come naturally, evidently. Not to kids, not to teens, and let me tell you, not even to adult children who should know better by now. Mine may not live under my roof anymore, but I still have to lovingly remind him that mama is not Amazon Prime with emotional same-day delivery. Boundaries, baby, boundaries. If you want gratitude to grow, you've got to plant those. So here's what we don't say enough. Gratitude takes practice, because it does. For them, yes, but for all of us, really, because if we're honest, we all have had our days when we forget to say thank you. Thank you to who? To God, to others, even ourselves. So while we're laughing through the chaos today, and we're gonna have lots of laughs, trust me, let's also remember this. We're not raising perfect kids, we are raising humans who are learning. And well, we are moms who are learning right alongside them. So, all right, now that we've established that none of us have a halo, let's get into some wildly ridiculous, slightly questionable, but surprisingly effective ways to raise more grateful kids and maybe even keep our sanity intact in the process. So, gratitude training tips power packed, and they are brief. So, alright, ladies, before we jump into these gratitude tips, you're gonna need two things a pad of paper and a pen. Because today's power up pep talk comes in brief briefs. Short, sassy, and power packed, of course. Let's just say, like the yoga pants of podcast episodes. And listen, if you're driving right now, do not attempt to write these downs. Be grateful and keep your hands at 10 and 2, okay? You can come back and write them later or do what I do and tell Siri to remember that, knowing full well she never will. So this episode, it's gonna be a little shorter than usual, as I said, but trust me, this one is going to hit harder than a toddler's tantrum in the middle of Target. So alright, you ready for the outrageous? So let's go. Number one, we're gonna implement the thank you tax. If they forget to say thank you, well, you get one fry. They forget twice, well, mama's getting all the nuggets too. Trust me, gratitude increases real quick when the waffle fries start disappearing. Now, maybe it's not waffle fries, but you know what favorite food is their pain point, and well, you get my point. Number two, the attitude adjuster glasses. So I want you to give your kid a pair of sunglasses and then announce these are your gratitude goggles. When they're on, your attitude is on point. Now, mamas, here's the guidelines for use according to absolutely no official parenting authority. Just wanted to add that. So listen, minimum wear time, two minutes or until they stop sounding like a disgruntled garden gnome. For moderate offenses, okay, they're gonna keep them on until they can say one nice thing, even if it's okay, I like the dog. Now, in severe cases, they're gonna wear them until they perform a full-on attitude reset. Gratitude must be detected, SAS levels must be reduced, and peace restored to the whole household. But then there are those emergency situations, okay? And in those cases, they are going to keep them on. Oh, yes, they are, until mama regains the will to parent politely. And if they ask, how long is that gonna take? You just tell them, you'll know. Trust me, you'll know. Number three, the mystery meal method. Okay, so this is a fun one. This one is specifically for the kids who act like you've committed a federal offense every time you put dinner on the table. Now come on, you know the ones I'm talking about. Let me give you a little scenario. You just made some spaghetti and they look at you like you set a bowl of gravel in front of them. Well, I got a fix for that. So this is what I want you to do. I want you to serve dinner under a bowl and call it Chopped Mommed Edition. So here are the rules for this mystery meal for chronic complainers, okay? One, if they complain, the bowl stays on two more minutes. If they complain again, I want you to add some dramatic music. Have some fun with this. And if they still complain, I want you to narrate in your best Gordon Ramsay voice. Fascinating. The young contestant has chosen negativity instead of gratitude. Bold move. Well, I know that's not Gordon Ramsay, but you know, have some fun with it. They probably don't even know who he is. But let me tell you, suddenly that plain old baked chicken becomes the best thing they have ever seen. Number four, the Mama Uber rule. Okay. If they treat you like a ride share driver, I want you to start responding like one. Oh yes. Uh, and this is what it sounds like. Okay, you ready? Thank you for riding with Mama Uber. Tips and gratitude are appreciated. Now, here's for the new important Mama Uber policies that are going to be effective immediately, okay? And this is before the ride even starts. So, before the car door even opens, they must and they must say thank you for the ride. Two, no passenger exit the vehicle until, and listen, this is a laundry list of things, because you know it's up in your car. One, all trash is picked up. Two, all cups are removed. Three, all shoes, socks, hoodies, water bottles, toys, crayons, rogue, gold fresh crackers, and mystery items are brought inside. Failure to comply will result in automatic mama Uber is now off the clock status. Repeat offenders may be charged a cleanup fee payable in hugs and extra chores and sloppy kisses for those teenagers who are really annoying. And if they happen to roll their eyes in the back of their head, you need to just remind them uh mama Uber has a strict no gratitude, no service policy. Mic drop. Told you we're having some fun. Number five, the gratitude is a chore program. Okay, so every time they take something for granted and they will add a chore to the list. Not as punishment. Oh no, oh no, no, no, we don't do that. No, as a reminder that blessings come with responsibility, dear. So here's your official mom. Okay, listen, gratitude chore starter pack. Perfect for moms who aren't doing this but want to start. How about the sock safari? Find every stray sock in the house and match it. If they find a peer, uh listen to me, if they find a pair, oh miracle. Then there's the dishwasher diplomacy. Load or unload, their choice. But come on, you know they'll pick the unload. How about you create the trash patrol? Empty all small trash cans and replace the bags. What a concept. The Great Cup Roundup. Find every cup they've abandoned around the house like a trail of regret. Then let's not forget the sweep squad. Oh yes, the sweep squad. They sweep the kitchen or entryways, and bonus points if they move things instead of sweeping around them. Then we got the wipe down duty that includes counters, bathroom sinks, or tables. Nothing complicated, just the basics. And we got the pet assistant. Well, the pet assistant's gonna feed the dog, brush the cat. I don't know if you can do that, but okay, brush the cat or refill the water bowl. Gratitude and responsibility. Yes, please. And then we got the laundry rookies and the laundry rookie rookie, rookie, rookie. God, I can't even talk today. The laundry rookie. What do they do? They fold towels because if they mess it up, uh, you can still use them. And the day they say, Thanks for letting me live here, you'll know the program is finally working. Hey, and how about number six? This is the trade-in negotiation. Okay. So when they complain about not having the newest, something happens like all the time. I want you to say, Wow, sounds like you want to trade in your bedroom and your tablet. I have never seen a child backpedal so fast, right? And now, the new upgrade though, if they continue to complain, simply follow up with, well, all right then. Sounds like you're ready to donate some toys to kids who would be grateful. Nothing teaches gratitude faster than watching their favorite stuffed animal slowly move toward the goodwill bag. And don't worry, you don't even have to donate it. Just the threat alone resets their gratitude levels faster than a Sunday altar call. And for teens, oh gosh, yes, cannot forget the teens. Oh honey, teens don't have toys. What do they have? They have privileges. So if the complaining continues, you just smile and say, Oh, no problem. I'll just go ahead and trade in your Wi-Fi password. Let me tell you what, mama, gratitude will rise on that child like the morning sun. Number seven, the hotel mom is closed announcement. But let's add some real muscle to this policy, okay? So the hotel mama closures include kitchen service shutdown, no snacks, no seconds, no just one bite. Laundry services unavailable. Clothes go in dirty and they remain dirty. Emotional support desk is offline. Aw, oh honey, are not available at this time. Transportation suspended. Mama Uber is closed. Honey, don't even grab that seatbelt. And now let's talk teens because this is where the real hammer drops. For teens, listen, for teens, hotel mama has some deluxe rules. Wi-Fi lounge is closed, passwords mysteriously slee. Mysteriously I'm saying that word, are updated. Charging stations are unavailable. Cords disappear like socks in a dryer. Room service revoked. No rides, no requests, no exceptions. Common area privileges restricted. The living room becomes adult listen to me. Oh my gravy. Adult only territory. Slow down, Sherry. I'm having fun here. Personal assistant services shut down. That means no reminders, no wake-up calls, no tracking down lost items like your homework. And if they dare to ask, well, when is hotel mama, when will it reopen? You just smile and say, Oh, sweetly, and you just say it sweetly, and you say, Oh, whenever your gratitude reaches levels, acceptable hospitality standards. And yes, you may adjust those standards as needed. Number eight, the blessing backfire game. Whenever they complain, respond dramatically with wow, what a blessing. Spilled milk, blessing, lost shoe, oh, blessing, homework, biggest blessing of all. And eventually they'll say thank you just to make you stop. Isn't this great? Bless your heart. So number nine, the mama's gratitude journal about you with a little twist of lime. Okay, so you are going to tell them you are keeping a gratitude journal about them. You only write in it when they show genuine gratitude. Not the sarcastic kind and not the eye roll kind. No actual real life gratitude. So here's the incentive. Every time they earn a journal entry, they also earn a high five, uh, a proud of you shout out, or a tiny reward from the gratitude grab bag. Could be stickers, a small stack, picking up the family movie, picking out the family movie, excuse me, choosing the playlist or getting out of one small chore. Nothing extravagant, just something that says, hey, gratitude, it matters around here. And some bonus incentives for teens. Well, because you know, teens are motivated, uh, listen to me. Teens are motivated by one thing and one thing only. And we talked about it earlier, and it's called privileges. So for them, every gratitude entry adds points towards extra screen time, later bedtime on weekends, music control in the car, choosing dinner one night a week, or getting the Wi-Fi password extender extended by one blessed hour. Oh, bless your heart. And here's the best part. By the end of the week, they'll be chasing gratitude like people chasing deals on Black Friday. And number 10, the if all else fails rule. If nothing else works, nothing, nothing at all. Just do the most sacred, ancient, and effective gratitude strategy known to motherhood. Eat one of their fries. Gratitude training is complete. So gratitude starts with us, but it doesn't end there. So, ladies, as we close, we have laughed, we have threatened to donate toys, we have temporarily shut down Hotel Mama, and we fully embrace the sacred art of eating fries as a parenting strategy. And I don't mind that one because I love me some fries. But here's the truth: beneath all the giggles, we've learned that gratitude's contagious. What we model, they will mirror, and every little moment matters. Even when your kids or your teens or your grown-up babies like mine who think they're adults now, mm-hmm, they forget that you're not a 24-7 vending machine of favors and feelings. You're teaching them, you're sowing seeds, they'll thank you for later. And even if today they only thank you after you clear your throat three times. And mama, give yourself some credit. Remember, you are raising humans, not robots, and you're doing it with love, humor, by yourself, and God's grace on days when none of that feels easy. Gratitude doesn't grow in perfect homes, it grows in real ones. Homes with mismatched socks, cold coffee, and a mom who keeps showing up, anyways. So I have a family call to action. And it's called Bless Someone Together Today. So before the day is over, do one small thing as a family to bless someone else. Nothing big, just a simple act of gratitude and action. And maybe you even do this after the week that you started implementing some of these strategies. And it could be things like you could, as a family, write a thank you note to a teacher, drop off a treat for a neighbor, send an encouraging text to someone hurting, even pray for them as a family. Uh leave a kindness sticky note somewhere, or just let your kids choose the blessing and lead the way. Gratitude, trust me, will get stronger when we give it away. So remember, mamas, you're not just raising grateful kids, you're raising grateful humans. And if all else fails, just eat one of their fries. It works every time. And hey, if the tune gets a little too strong while you're out here teaching gratitude, I get it. You don't have to handle this alone. You can always phone a friend at our 24-hour prayer line at 855-822Pray. Call anytime. We've got you, girl. Because today's episode wasn't just fun, it was a power-up pep talk on raising grateful kids. I hope you enjoyed it. One laugh, one boundary, one fry at a time. Have a wonderful week, and remember, it's a single mom thing, and not the single thing that stops you.

SPEAKER_00:

Thanks for listening to It's a Single Mom Thing. I hope you enjoyed our time together. If you have more questions on how to have a relationship with Jesus or do prayer, visit us at www.shepherdsvillage.com backslash prayer. For more information and resources, check out our show notes.

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Sherry Chandler

Host