Before we get into this post, please note that I’m not promising “seven easy ways to mass-produce thankful children.” Teaching children about gratitude is one thing. Actually seeing those character quality developments takes many teachable moments. My aim is to provide you a few simple ways to educate your kids about gratitude and why it’s important.
A grateful tree. For those of you who haven’t heard of a grateful tree, it’s basically a stick that you tie a bunch of notes on to say what you’re grateful for. Pinterest haters, hear me out. Your grateful tree does not need to be lavish. I’ll even go crazy and show you my B.P. (before Pinterest) grateful tree from 2009.
That’s just not pinterestable (if that’s even a word.) But it didn’t matter. The point was that we were grateful for the things we wrote down and were taking that intentional time to remember.
Thank you cards. I read that a person will feel you genuinely appreciate their gift if you thank them three times: once immediately upon receiving the gift, second in a thank-you card, and third if you happen to bring it up in conversation after you’ve used the item for awhile. While I am absolutely not a formula follower in life, I do try my best to follow this one. Teach your children to write thank-you cards, even if it’s just scribbles.
Having your children say thank you to waiters, soldiers, librarians, cashiers. Your kids will learn that service is worthy of gratitude.
Give less, but give well. Giving gifts to your children is important. I am a person that feels so loved when people send me little gifts, because they were thinking of me. However, children should not receive everything they desire, or their little “I want” switches will be turned on. Less is better, but make sure that the “less” that they have is high quality.
Service opportunities. Teaching your children to do work that goes unnoticed is a fantastic way to have discussions about gratitude. “Aren’t you so grateful that there are people who pick up garbage alongside the road to keep our earth clean?” or “Aren’t you so happy that Daddy normally cleans that bathroom? It was pretty yucky, wasn’t it?”
Talk about it in daily life. Thankfulness should not be limited to November. As you’re dropping your kids off at daycare or picking them up from school talk about what you’re thankful for. “I’m so thankful that Daddy is ordering pizza tonight!” “I am so glad that you’re my kiddo. I missed you today!” If you talk about it in your everyday milieu, then your children won’t ascribe a feeling of awkwardness or formality to thankfulness.
Giving something away. Another great way to teach thankfulness is to have your children experience giving something away to someone less fortunate. Whether it be a toy or a book or even sacrificing a small treat, when children learn to give, they learn to be grateful for what they have.
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
