Most mornings, or at least on the ones where the stars align and all three boys spend more time brushing their teeth than battling their need to — after they (grumpily) make their beds and (begrudgingly) complete their morning chores and (ravenously) devour half of the contents of our refrigerator for a breakfast that will only hold them over for about an hour — we attempt to write entries in our gratitude journals. 

Gratitude is huge for our team, and Super-Spouse and I decided long ago that it was one of the core values we wanted to emphasize and instill in our home. In our experience, it’s the antidote to entitlement. It’s the key to joyful living. And it’s that thing that keeps us grounded and, even in the midst of unideal circumstances, reminds us just how blessed we are.

So every day [that we can get all three boys in underwear before it’s time to leave for school], each boys sits down at the island counter and lists at least one thing that he is grateful for on that day. 

Although they may contain similar themes, every day, the gratitude entries of the olders change.

Superhero 1 is most often grateful for sushi, books, Star Wars toys and road races.

Superhero 2 is most often grateful for animals — both ours and others — and various people.

But nearly every single day since we started journaling our thanks two years ago, the daily entry of Superhero 3 has remained mostly the same.

FAMILY.