Weekly Challenge #31: Say “Thank You” at Least Three Times a Day
52-Week Family Challenge
Play the Thank You Game Every Day
This week’s challenge is all about one simple but powerful phrase: “Thank you.”
That’s it. Just say thank you at least three times each day. It sounds simple, but you might be surprised how easily we overlook it, especially with the people closest to us.
This challenge is part of our 52-Week Family Challenge, where we practice small habits that help shape the tone of our home. It pairs beautifully with rhythms like sharing three things we learned each day and building a contribution-focused childhood.
In this challenge
Table of Contents
Start with Your First Team: Your Family
Before you think about the grocery clerk, your barista, or the neighbor who lets you merge into traffic, let’s look closer to home.
This challenge begins inside your four walls.
- Mom, thank your kids.
- Kids, thank your parents.
- Siblings, thank each other.
- Dads, thank your family.
- Everyone thanks each other.
We are building the habit of gratitude where it counts the most: at home. This is the first team that shapes our lives.
Sometimes the people closest to us are the ones who most need to hear our gratitude out loud.
Why This Challenge Matters
It’s the middle of summer, and let’s be honest: everyone could use an easy win. This challenge is intentionally light, but do not underestimate it.
Saying thank you is a small act of emotional intelligence. It trains us to slow down, acknowledge others, and speak kindness aloud.
Even if you are someone who gives thanks all day long, pause and ask yourself:
Did I thank the people I love the most today?
It Builds Awareness
Gratitude helps us notice the small ways people care for us throughout the day.
It Strengthens Home
When gratitude is spoken often, the whole tone of family life can feel softer and more connected.
How to Join In
This challenge is intentionally simple. The goal is not to make gratitude complicated. The goal is to make it visible and spoken.
- Say “thank you” at least three times per day.
- Keep track by tallying it in a notebook, journal, or even on the fridge.
- Count the thank yous that begin at home as your foundation.
- Bonus points for thanking service workers, teachers, friends, and strangers too.
If you are a parent guiding your child through this challenge, encourage them to say thank you for specific actions, such as “Thank you for making lunch” or “Thank you for playing with me.”
Simple Thank You Tracker
You can copy this into a notebook, screenshot it, or make a simple version for your fridge.
| Day | Thank You #1 | Thank You #2 | Thank You #3 | What did you notice? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | ||||
| Tuesday | ||||
| Wednesday | ||||
| Thursday | ||||
| Friday | ||||
| Saturday | ||||
| Sunday |
Printable gratitude tools
A Challenge Tie-In from Our Etsy Shop
Looking for a simple tool to support this week’s challenge? The Joyful Moments Journal Template in the Here They Grow Etsy shop can help children and families become more aware of the little things that bring joy and create space for daily gratitude.
Use It To:
- Spark thoughtful conversations.
- Record specific moments you are thankful for.
- Make “thank you” part of your family’s everyday rhythm.
Family connection favorites
Simple Tools for Family Connection
You do not need anything fancy to practice gratitude, but journals, conversation cards, family notebooks, and simple routine tools can help make small habits feel easier to remember.
For general family rhythm, gratitude, and connection favorites, you can browse the Here They Grow Amazon Shop.
As an Amazon Associate, Here They Grow may earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ: The Thank You Game
How do you play the Thank You Game?
Say “thank you” at least three times each day. Try to begin at home by thanking the people in your family for specific things they did or ways they helped.
Why should gratitude start at home?
Home is often where we are most comfortable, which means it can also be where we forget to speak appreciation out loud. Starting at home helps strengthen the relationships that shape daily life most deeply.
How can children participate?
Children can thank parents, siblings, friends, teachers, or helpers. Encourage them to be specific, such as “Thank you for reading to me” or “Thank you for helping me clean up.”
Do the thank yous need to be written down?
No, they can simply be spoken. But tracking them in a notebook, journal, or printable page can help children notice the habit and remember to practice it throughout the week.
What is the goal of this challenge?
The goal is to make gratitude part of the family’s everyday rhythm. It is not about perfect manners, but about noticing others and speaking appreciation with intention.
We are so glad you are here. Thank you for being part of this community of intentional families, growing together one week at a time.
Let’s go show the world some good manners and kind hearts.
See you next week,
Ashley
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