How To Teach Your Children Gratitude
Many parents tend to place greater emphasis on academic
achievements over character development. I have friends and
relatives with children who do very well in school, highly
competitive and assertive. Unfortunately many of them lack the
heart of gratitude for what they have and receive.
Gratitude is a quality that is often undervalued. However it is
one quality that will help one to have a better chance to do
well in career and in life. When our children become too
competitive and results-oriented, they tend to be self-centered
and less considerate for others.
Qualities like gratitude, appreciation and contentment make us
gracious. They also help us to be at ease with ourselves and the
people around us. Without gratitude, we become complacent and
often do not appreciate the blessing we receive from nature and
other people. We tend to take many good things in life for
granted, including the kindness from people who love us.
By teaching our children gratitude, they learn to appreciate the
things they have and the people who care about them. They will
become more understanding and will treat others with greater
respect. All these are necessary for one to win more friends and
build better relationship with people.
People with gratitude then to be more caring and they usually
have a kind heart. They are also happier and more appreciative.
In addition, they are more grateful to their parents and truly
understand the virtue of filial piety.
Teaching Gratitude
Children learn best by observing their parents and their care
givers. Hence it is important that parents set good examples to
their children consistently in their daily life.
Here are some of things that we do with our own children. You
may like to practice them with your family:
Make it a habit to say always thank you to others where they do
something nice for you. For example, thanks a stranger who gives
up the seats to you when traveling on the bus or train, thanks
the sales person who serve you in the store.
Act responsibly and do something good for others. For example,
help a needy person to cross the street.
Tell your children how grateful and proud you are of your
children for the good things they do for you. For example, I
always say thanks to my elder child whenever she helps to take
care of our younger one.
Get your children to draw a thank you card for their teacher or
a get-well card for their friends who are ill.
Always remind your child to call home if they need to come home
late. When we reach home from my parents' place after visiting
them, I always get my child to call their grandparents to inform
them that we have reached home safe and sound. (our parents love
the kids very much)
Cultivate a Grateful Spirit
When we show appreciation and gratitude to others, they usually
reciprocate with similar gesture. However at time, that may not
happen instantly. Hence we need too teach our children that they
do not necessary see the results of their efforts that they have
put it immediately. Explain that it is normal to wait before
they can see the fruits of their labor and that rewards are
sweeter if they wait and work for it.
Children who grow up in an appreciative and kind environment are
more likely to become responsible and appreciative adults. They
are also happier, reconciled and contented and at peace with
themselves and others.