Raising Thankful Children
Teaching Gratitude in Time for Thanksgiving
Oct 1, 2009 Jeri Dayle-Rabinowitz
As the crisp fall days slide into November families are compiling guest lists, shopping, cleaning linens, booking flights, decorating and more. They are in high gear preparing for Thanksgiving, yet may be forgetting the essence of the holiday – a spirit of thankfulness for the bounty people enjoy every day.
Change Kids Mindset From Entitled to Grateful
Freedom, food, clean water, health, toys and an adequate home are basics of life most Americans enjoy and often kids take them for granted. With so many books, computers, gaming systems, phones and MP3 players, children have become overly contented. Good parents are charged with giving children perspective, teaching them that a person is not merely entitled to the good life. There are many things parents can do to change that mindset, and help kids develop a sense of gratitude, selfless giving and thankfulness.
Tips To Breeding Grateful Kids
Many households make thankfulness part of dinner time – from saying some type of grace everyday to rituals at the holiday. One tactic is to go around the Thanksgiving table stating three things each person is grateful for. Another is to pull papers from a jar, then say something about the person/item on the slip that makes one happy to have in their lives.
The very act of eating dinner together is a family bonding experience; the type of casual Me to We action that builds a sense of gratitude. Here are some more things parents can do to help kids reach out, grasp a sense of their world and find fulfillment.
Get involved together: volunteer as a family. Visit a soup kitchen, nursing home or animal shelter and donate time. Or participate in a fund-raising walk so the family can help an organization and get fit at the same time.
Discuss current events: help children understand their world and the political and natural events which shape others lives. The tsunamis, earthquakes and civil wars that ravage another part of the world have impact on all children. Suffering in the world is real, so don’t shelter the kids. Get them involved by starting a clothing or food drive, or signing a petition on-line.
Make a gratitude list: clothing, education, a soft bed and public transportation are basics one child has that another may not. Kids should express thankfulness for these simple blessings.
Discuss feelings: sadness, disappointment, frustration and elation are all part of life and its daily surprises. This helps children to develop empathy for others’ feelings as well.
Discipline wisely: understanding consequences, power, and emotion help breed justice and respect. One day children will appreciate that Mom was so tough.
Be a role model: be the giving, empathetic person a parent wants his/ her child to be. Parents who are generous inspire such positive behavior in their children.
Recognize heroes: from the President to Spiderman, to the Boy Scout down the block, there are a host of real and fictional heroes around. Children can emulate their good deeds. When they do, parents should praise their kindness.
Consider a giving vacation. There are places a family can go that merge seeing awesome sights with making a difference. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, located in Utah near the Grand Canyon and national parks, is one example.
Organize with a purpose: clean closets and clear personal spaces of clutter. Then donate the clothes, purses and stuffed toys to a hospital, woman’s shelter or fire department. These cast-offs will later bring comfort to someone in need.
Shop for others: “Black Friday” of Thanksgiving weekend usually signals the beginning of holiday shopping. Make sure to include those less fortunate on the family shopping list. Sponsor a holiday meal, visit a Giving Tree, or ask the mail carrier about Santa letters.
Remember, showing compassion and empathy will help a child appreciate his/her life and change a “me” attitude to a “we” consciousness. Family members will be happier, while doing a part to keep “thanks” in the Thanksgiving holiday.
A Warm Bed is a Blessing
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