Parenting Wins at Christmas TimeSýnishorn

DAY FIVE - HOW TO RAISE A GRATEFUL CHILD

At this time of year, it seems as though it’s easy for our kids to turn into “gimmie” monsters. That makes it the perfect time to teach them instead of being grateful! We can help them adopt an attitude of gratitude that lasts all year long.

Gratitude is scriptural. Besides that, gratitude is healthy! Studies show that people who cultivate gratitude are happier themselves and that kids who practice thankfulness have more positive attitudes toward school and family.

Here are 6 ideas for helping our kids develop an attitude of gratitude:

1. Express your gratitude. Tell them why you’re thankful for them! When you tell them what makes them special to you, their self-esteem is boosted for all the right reasons, and they learn to express their gratitude by example.

2. Hold back on the “stuff.” Of course, we want to give our kids the best, but if we buy them everything they want (and then some) they can end up having so much stuff, they don’t appreciate any of it. They just keep wanting more, without being thankful for anything.

3. Focus on blessings. Take time together every day to share what you’re all thankful for. My husband and I do this when we pray before bed. This daily tradition can help develop a positive frame of mind. Older kids might even want to keep a “thankfulness” journal and write down a few things they’re thankful for each day.

4. Say “thank you.” There are endless ways every day for us to model gratitude for our kids — thanking our waitress, the cashier at the grocery store, or the teller at the bank. When our kids see us expressing sincere thanks all the time, they’ll be more inclined to do it too.

5. Reach out to others. Acts 20:35 says “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.” Teaching kids to help others can cultivate gratefulness. When they rake leaves for a neighbor or volunteer at a nursing home, they’re less likely to take things like health, home, and family for granted.

6. Teach them to write thank you notes. In today’s day and age, handwritten thank-you notes seem to be a dying art. But what a great way for kids to express gratitude — and as a bonus, it can make the recipient’s day!