Let’s face it. Babies are entitled to all the attention they crave.
They keep their parents up all night on weeknights, not caring if their parents have to go to work in the morning. As if that’s not enough, they cry loudly just in time for their parent’s favourite TV shows. Plus, puke all over their parent’s expensive new shirts, then top it with an adorable smile.
The reality remains, babies want what they want when they want it, and however they want it.
However, as they grow into toddlers and young children, they need to learn to be considerate of others’ feelings and schedules. Also, children need to understand that it is a privilege to receive anyone’s effort, time or care. Thus, children should be taught the art of gratitude.
Thinking of ways you can help your young ones imbibe the important virtue of gratitude? Here are 7 tips below that can help you;
1. Teach Them To Say “Please” And “Thank You”
When making a demand, receiving a gift or even declining an offer, it must be done with utmost humility and respect, no matter who they’re dealing with.
Using these words communicates respect and appreciation.
Phrases like “Yes Please” and “No, thank you” should be part of their everyday vocabulary.
2. Show Them How Blessed They Are
A saying goes “I wanted new shoes until I saw a man with no legs”.
Children may not be able to grasp the complexities of life, but they can learn to appreciate the things and the people in their lives. Simply show them the difficulties other children are going through within their age-range.
When a child throws a tantrum about having to share a bedroom with a sibling, let them know that there are children with no roof over their heads. And when your child obsesses over not having perfect bodies, make them aware of other children with deformities who would love to have your child’s body.
The object is not to make your children feel ungrateful or wretched, but to make them realize how lucky they are to have what they have. Things could be worse.
3. Encourage Them To Dedicate Their Time To Helping People with Disabilities Or Less Privileged
Everyone has something to offer, even a young child. Encourage your children to volunteer and run errands for disabled neighbours or do chores for elderly relatives. Encourage them to give up their seats for people who are elderly, sick, and maybe more in need of it.
Additional kind gestures like helping the elderly cross the street should be taught to them.
Help them realize that life is not an individual sport, but a team game in which we will all need each other’s help at one time or another.
4. Make Them Earn Their Allowance
Teach your children the value of money and make them earn it.
They have to get good grades, do house chores or be on their best behaviour in order to receive an allowance. This will not only teach children to be responsible, but it will also make them more appreciative of the money when they receive it.
As a general fact, money earned is more valued than money simply given.
5. Teach Them To Give Thanks For The Little Things
A healthy mind, a successful journey, another beautiful sunrise, a good friend, a family that loves you; these are things we take for granted but are not as common as we think.
Teach your kids that these things cannot be purchased or manufactured and are gifts which we must constantly express gratitude for.
Encourage your children to give thanks before and after meals, before they go to bed and after they rise, first thing in the morning, at the start and conclusion of trips, before and after successful exams. Teach them to be grateful at all times no matter the circumstance.
6. Help Them Overcome Feelings Of Envy
A lot of anti-social behaviours are born out of envy as well as a deficit in how kids see themselves compared to their friends, classmates or agemates.
An envious child may also develop an inferiority complex. This is a situation that will impair their social and mental progression.
Though envy is a perfectly normal human emotion, teach them that it can lead them down a destructive path if they allow it to control them.
Whether children are envious of their peers from wealthier families or kids with cooler toys, help them understand that there is more to life than material belongings.
Teach them to love themselves for themselves. They should also to be satisfied with what they have while striving for what they want.
7. Show Gratitude To Your Children
You cannot teach your children to be grateful as much as you can show them.
Show humility in dealing with your children. Be considerate towards them, generous to them. Show you are content with their efforts while encouraging them to do more. Moreso, show empathy towards them.
Respect everyone, irrespective of who they are, where they’re from, what they do or what they look like. Your children will learn to do the same.
Gratitude can be a motivator, it can be an ice breaker, a door opener, a peacemaker and even a shield.
The world would be a much friendlier place if we all just showed a little more gratitude to each other.