Raising Thankful Kids
Categories: Preschoolers, Kids 5-7, Kids 8-11, Teens & tweens, Holidays, Playground bureau, Religion & spirituality
We live in a highly consumer-driven culture here in the good old U. S. of A. If you don't believe me, spend a few hours watching TV with your kids. You'll see commercials for every kind of toy under the sun.Kids are drowning in messages that tell them it's OK to ask for whatever they want, and to expect that they will receive it.
So just how are we supposed to raise thankful kids in this environment?
Well, it's simple, really. Raise them with the understanding that they are truly blessed, and that it is their responsibility to contribute to the community at large. Easier said than done, I know. It's hard work to fight the "I wants," especially when even the grown-ups occasionally get a bad case of the gimme-gimmes. Give me an hour with the Pottery Barn catalog and I'll find 10 new ways to spend thousands of dollars.
However, there are some strategies you can employ to fight back against Madison Avenue, especially this time of year. One parenting expert devised the following list of tips to help raise thankful kids:
Wanting vs. Needing: Oh, this is a good one. How many times have you said "I need" when talking about some totally extraneous item you wanted? Explain to kids that they don't really "need" a new gaming system. A need is something much more basic, like food, shelter and warm clothing. It's OK to want stuff, but make them aware that their needs are actually taken care of, and that is something to be thankful for.
Giving Back: Activities like serving dinner in a soup kitchen or visiting the elderly during the holidays can teach kids that giving is as rewarding as getting. It also reinforces the idea of "need vs. want."
Get Some Perspective: When my husband worked in the inner city as an elementary-school teacher, the only gifts some of his students received at the holidays were from him. You can gently reinforce this lesson with your children by doing things like participating in a local toy drive, and encouraging your child to help you choose the gift you donate.
Last but not least? Remember to count your own blessings. Your kids are watching, and if you remember to be thankful for what you have, they will be, too.
How do you teach your children to be thankful?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Karen 11-19-2008 @ 2:35PM
We were rather poor growing up, yet my mother made a point of helping others that were in worse shape than us. That made an impact on me, even if I resented it as a kid.
But one my strongest memories (and messages) is seeing my grandmother slip a $50 bill to a waitress. She lived frugally herself, but she ate at this one diner type restaurant regularly, and it was always a treat for her to take us there. I caught her sneaking the money to a girl one time and asked her about it. She didn't really want to talk about it, but just said that the waitress needed it, and she could afford to give it to her, so she did. She didn't really even intend for me to see it.
Now, at Christmas time, we take our family to eat at least once to an restaurant and we leave an extra $50 or $100 tip. There always seems to be one waitress during the holidays that stands out as possibly needing the extra boost. We don't wait around for a thank-you, but we try to catch the reaction as we are leaving or through a window. My kids are aware we are doing it and we always discuss how we are more fortunate that some and how it is our responsibility to give back. I don't know that it has the same impact that it did on me, but we do it anyway.
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Amy Hatch 11-19-2008 @ 3:43PM
Wow, Karen! I absolutely LOVE that idea. I just may have to do that this year. Thank you for sharing.
2Joys 11-19-2008 @ 3:54PM
We are trying to teach our kids to be thankful for not only some of the nice things we have, but also basics like buying food. Each week when we are grocery shopping we pick out items to put in our Donation Bag. We will a grocery bag with food and once it is full, we will take it to the food pantry. My son really seems to enjoy being able to put new items in the bag each week. I am not sure how much of this he understands, but we try to explain how lucky we are and how good it is to help others in need.
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kelly jeanie 11-19-2008 @ 8:18PM
Oh wow, 2Joys, I love that idea. I think my 3-year-old could really understand this. Thank you!
Julie 11-20-2008 @ 11:01AM
I am seeking new ways to teach my young boys about the importance of giving back and came across a new website called Generation Cures - kids can go on it for free, enjoy puzzle games, kid vids, and cartoons but it teaches them (without them even realizing it!) the importance of giving back. The messaging teaches kids in fun ways that they can make a difference in the lives of sick kids. A cool thing the site has is Project Good Gift. Kids can choose to give up one gift and ask their mom or dad to make a donation to Generation Cures instead, to fund pediatric research. Pretty cool and easy, and it teaches them that one small sacrifice can make a difference. Check it out www.generationcures.org/projectgoodgift.
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