Five Tips For Raising Grateful Kids
It is human nature to constantly desire and look forward to something better but it’s just as important to take a moment to stop and look around you. You will realise that there is a lot to be grateful for.
As I’m raising my two kids, I am very intentional about the values I would like to instill in them and an attitude of gratitude is at the top of my list. There are a few thing that you can do to raise kids who are full of gratitude.
Teach them to say thank you
Saying ‘thank you’ will not come naturally to our kids and it is something that they have to be taught. As parents, we should teach our kids to express gratitude when receiving something or an act of kindness from those around them. It can take a bit of time but at some point in time, they will definitely understand it for themselves and start to do it without you having to remind them. I find it so fulfilling when my son is so eager to remind me to say thank you for the things one would consider insignificant.
Teach them to count their blessings
It is easy to feel entitled to what we have yet the truth is , it’s all a blessing and it’s not because we are more deserving than others. It is important not only for us , but for our kids as well to see life as a blessing that it is. When my son was in preschool, I had a conversation with his teacher and she said something that stuck with me. She told me about how she has time where she allows the kids to say to God what they are grateful for and their lists included their lunchboxes and their beds. It might sound funny but we ought to be as grateful for everything in our lives , no matter how big or small.
Model the behavior to your kids
Our kids learn by watching what we do more than what we say. I have seen this many times with my son. He will imitate me on how I do something and say it out to me that he has seen me do it that way. It is easy to complain about our day to day , but modelling an attitude of gratitude to our kids is the best way to teach them.
Show appreciation
It’s the festive season and most of us will be sending gifts to our friends and families. As you prepare your gifts , allow your kids to take part. Ask them who they would like to show appreciation to and help them to choose a gift for that person. You can also allow them to be creative and make the gift themselves. This is one way to teach them to share love and appreciation for those around them.
Random acts of kindness
Gratitude creates a desire to to give and bless others. There are people around us who might not have much to celebrate during this time. You can, together with your kids, prepare food parcels and make this time special for a family that is less fortunate. There is a lot that you can do but most of all, spread love and kindness by opening your heart to give.
Love,
Muhluri
Photo from, Unsplash.com.
