One of the most fundamental aspects of parenthood is raising grateful children.
Gratitude and kindness are two crucial human traits which tends to lead to an adulthood of inner happiness and fulfillment.
BUT HOW CAN WE TEACH GRATEFULNESS TO OUR CHILDREN?
It has become harder than ever to teach our children about being grateful when we live in an entitled and materialistic world.
Although that isn’t the case everywhere, or for everyone, society has become more and more entitled and desensitized.
We can blame a million factors, such as technology and social media. However, the truth is that if we cultivate gratefulness in our children from early on, and engrave it deep in their hearts, it will become their nature.
1. LEAD BY EXAMPLE
One of the best ways to teach gratefulness to our children is to lead by example.
Remember the famous phrase, “Do as I as say, not as I do?”
Yeah… that’s not going to get us far when teaching our children this kind of lesson.
You must put gratefulness to action in you daily life and allow you kids to witness it firsthand. That way, when you are getting ready to talk to them about it, you are credible.
2. A THANKFUL MURAL
The thankful mural is a beautiful activity to do with your children.
It serves for a constant reminder of all the things we should be grateful for. A “thankful mural” also helps kids think about all the things they have and should be grateful for.
3. VOLUNTEERING
Another great way to teach children how to be grateful is to help them realize what they should be thankful for.
Most children today grow up having everything they need from the time they are born.
That can indirectly create a sense of entitlement in our children, which if not careful can be carried into adulthood.
It is our job as parents to teach them about the world. The good and the bad. About the fortunate and not so fortunate, so that they are able to develop a sensitivity compass.
Doing volunteer work is a great way to help kids realize what the world is really like. By helping others who are less fortunate allows them to see firsthand how blessed and fortunate they are indeed.
4. DONATION
Just like volunteering, donating time, things, and/or money is a great hands-on way to get children to understand the significance and impact of gratefulness and kindness.
Kids could be very possessive of their things, especially toys.
Teaching them to give, not just from other sources, but from their own stuff is a very significant lesson.
5. SET AN ALLOWANCE
How many times do you find yourself telling your children, “money doesn’t grow on trees”.
I believe that one of the most important factors about gratefulness and gratitude is to educate children early on about the value of money.
6. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
Another funny phrase we hear people say all the time is, “you should count your blessings”.
But honestly, if you were a child and your parents told you that, you would be asking yourself, “what does that even mean?”
The goal for this gratefulness activity is to make a list as a of the things you take for granted.
Even as adults we tend to forget how incredibly blessed we are about the smallest things. Just by taking a quick look at the world around us, many of those things would hit home.
7. GRATITUDE JOURNAL
Having and gratitude journal helps put a lot of things into perceptive.
A gratitude journal is not only a great way to put down on paper all of the positive things in your life, but it can also serve as motivation and encouragement for the “not so good days”.
It can also be a creative outlet for kids to express themselves in a positive way.
Read the full article: https://lovelymomhood.com/raise-grateful-children/
