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Raising grateful children goes beyond teaching them how to say “please” and “thank you”. Children need to understand that gratitude and the willingness to give begins as a mindset. Read on for five important tips and tricks to teach your children how to be thankful.
1. Count Your Blessings
The saying “count your blessings” is a life lesson that every day is an opportunity to be grateful for what we have. Not sure where to start? Remind your child that everything in life is a blessing. From the food in your fridge to the roof over your head, teach your child to understand to be thankful that their needs are met.
Whenever you find your children focusing on the negatives in life, remind them to count their blessings. If nothing else, adopting this perspective will help you and your children appreciate all the good that’s already in your life.
2. Demonstrate Gratitude
Another way to raise grateful children is for parents to demonstrate gratitude themselves. Parents can demonstrate basic gratitude by taking moments to express how thankful they are for their friends, family, neighbors, and community. By embodying a grateful attitude, parents can model this important trait for their children.
Remember to demonstrate gratitude in front of your child. Whether you make a habit of praising your partner with your child present or you thank your child for completing a chore, expressing your gratitude shows them how to do the same.
3. Encourage Using Thank-You Notes
Writing thank-you notes is another opportunity for children to understand the power of gratitude and giving even more. For example, shares that although thank-you notes may seem old-fashioned, they’re a very tangible way to teach gratitude. By teaching the practice of writing thank-you notes, parents help their kids create a habit of being thankful. From the gifts they receive for their birthday to the money they get from their grandparents, children should understand that each gift is an opportunity to write a thank-you note.
Make writing thank-you cards fun by encouraging creativity. Kids can make their notes from scratch as they use their arts and crafts skills to practice gratitude.
4. Teach Your Children to Give Back
Another effective way to encourage your child to give is to teach them how to give back. Through volunteering, donating, and similar activities, you can show your kids how important and how easy it is to give to their community. One way to teach your child to give back is by having them volunteer with you or show them how you donate. The CEO of Feeding America, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot states that gratitude is an action. When you are able to show your kids how you give back, they will be more likely to do that in their adult years as well.
Start volunteering with your kids by finding a cause you both feel passionate about and work on it together. Whether it be an animal shelter, a soup kitchen, or another organization, volunteering will set a great example for your children as you help them learn the true meaning of giving and gratitude.
5. Practice Saying “Thank You”
In addition to writing “thank-you” notes, it’s equally important to make sure your children practice saying the words “thank you” as well. With a little practice and reminding, these two words will quickly become your child’s favorite. As you practice saying “thank you” with your child, remind them just how good gratitude feels for both the recipient and the giver.
Never underestimate the power of “thank you”. Just as you should encourage “thank you’s” for major gestures, be sure to teach your children to say it after something small. Whether someone held the door for them or blessed them after a sneeze, a heartfelt “thank you” is always a pleasant gesture.
Conclusion
Gratitude is something we all spend a lifetime learning. Make sure your child understands the importance of gratefulness and giving with these five tips.
