24 December 2008
We gather together every November to celebrate Thanksgiving and feast on delicious food. We talk to our children about being thankful for what we have, but does it begin and end there? For too many families, the answer is “yes.” Come Christmas time, gratitude is forgotten and the focus shifts back to greed, as toy commercials are shoved down our kids’ throats and the main question becomes, “What do you want for Christmas?”
I’ve noticed that the general attitude of children these days (including my own) is one of haughty entitlement. They expect to be waited on. They feel that it is their right to have clean clothes, help with homework and the numerous other labors of love performed by parents and loved ones. This is hugely exaggerated around Christmas time when a serious case of the “Gimmes” hit. Are they grateful for the little things, much less the extra things like gifts? How many times have your kids expressed their gratitude for something or someone, as of late? If you cannot count the instances on both hands, then it is time to instill a little more gratitude in your kids.
What can we do to achieve a greater attitude of gratitude? First and foremost, we need to start with ourselves. Parents lead by example, whether they realize it or not. If you want to know how you act, take a look at your children. Maybe it is time that you start expressing more thanks for things in your own life. Trust me, your kids will notice and follow suit.
Taking time to list the things that we are thankful for, as part of a weekly routine, is a great way to encourage gratitude. Some families pray at meals and this is an excellent opportunity to add a few words of thanks for other things besides the food. In our home, we take turns one night a week going around to the table and saying some nice words about another family member. No, it does not make our home a perfectly harmonious place, but it does help to build self esteem and gratitude.
Having the kids write out thank you notes for gifts, is also a perfect way to teach gratitude. Plus, it lets the gift giver know that you appreciate the kindness. Thank you notes do not have to be limited to gifts. Keep a box of your child’s art work handy, to be made into all occasion thank you notes. Any time your child seems grateful for something or someone, encourage them to write it down and let that person know. You will find that your kids really look forward to thanking people!
If you have any ideas of how to increase attitudes of gratitude in your kids, please leave them in the comments section!
Here’s to a joyful holiday season of greater gratitude!