Gratitude

With the holidays and people madly shopping, I thought this might be a helpful reminder.

Some kids appreciate every little thing you do for them, be it listening to you tell a story or looking at the possibilities of an empty giant cardboard box. Other kids may seem dissatisfied no matter what the gift.

*photo - flickr- tomahawktim
Don’t try to do more, buy more, be more when what you offer your child attracts only a cool reception. At times we may feel inadequate, when our children show disappointment and ungrateful at the task we took time to do for them. Disappointment or anger does not help the situation. Those are your feelings, not the child's.

Sometimes it is difficult to feel thankful on demand. When they’re disappointed, accept their feelings with empathy. Avoid labels – such as “ungrateful” – because these labels become part of a child’s self image. The very characteristic you seek to prevent is actually reinforced when you attach a negative label to your child.

Instead, teach gratitude. Share your own grateful moments with your children. You be appreciative and delighted with the world around you. It'll rub off on them!

Teaching appreciation for small things is not the same as teaching kids to say “please” and “thank you.” Manners are a good skill but authentic appreciation has its source in the value of the gift and the feelings of the person offering it.

For example:
Help your children feel the meaning behind the gift. Imagine with them: “Aunt Sally thought to herself, ‘It’s Julia’s birthday! I wonder what she would really, really like! A drawing set? Or a new ball?’ And she thought about it and thought about it…”

Help children appreciate the value of things. Don’t always rush to replace a lost or broken belonging. Help your kids budget for a replacement.
Gratitude is something children learn by seeing it in action. You be grateful for this life and all the blessings and miracles in it. Take a moment now to see 3 miracles right in front of you.

Enjoy your holidays...