Gratitude and kindness are not easy to pass along to some kids, but you can still learn how to raise grateful children even if you live in such a materialist world. Having the latest and the greatest gadgets will not make you a better person so teach your kids to be grateful not only for what they have but for the opportunities that are available to them. Also, there are a lot of studies that have shown that kids who showed high levels of gratitude reported having stronger GPAs, less depression and envy and a more positive outlook on life than the less grateful kids. Here are a few very helpful tips on how to raise grateful children in a materialistic world that you should consider:
If you expect your kids to be grateful for what they have, then you should give genuine thanks out loud. You can do this by being thankful to everyone you interact with; from the grocery bagger to the man who holds the door for you. Be specific and tell those people what are you grateful for so that your child can understand how a small act of kindness can lift someone’s whole day.
In order to raise grateful children, you should make gratitude part of your daily routine. For example, when you sit down for lunch with your whole family, you should first mention three things that you are grateful for. You could turn this into a habit because with practice, gratitude will become an important part of your kid’s attitude.
Teach your kids that they can have fun no matter what they do. Who says that work, studying or doing homework has to be boring? So instead if saying “I have to do that.”, start saying “I get to do that.”. This simple thing will help you feel more grateful for what you have and you will be a gratitude role-model for your kids as well.
If you want to raise grateful children, then volunteer with them. Teach them that they have to help the ones around them and to always try to make other people’s lives a little bit better. Every small act of kindness can lift someone’s whole day so it’s important to help others if you want to live a happy and fulfilling life.
Simplicity does matter so try to always keep things simple because your kids will start to notice the little things in life and they will learn to appreciate them more. Try to make a difference in your community every day and teach your kids the benefits of gratitude.
If you want to teach your kids to be grateful for what they have, then you need to be a gratitude role-model yourself. Lead by example and show them why being grateful can make you feel happier and why it can help you lead a more successful life.
Saying thank you is fine but sometimes, you need to show up and give thanks. For example, you could call someone and say thanks instead of sending an e-mail or a text. You could also write a thank-you note and send it to that individual that helped you or you could even give them a thank-you basket.
Saying “please” and “thank you” is not only good manners, it’s also a way to teach your kids to be kind and to appreciate the things and the opportunities they have. Do you know any other tips on how to raise grateful children in such a materialistic world? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section!