It seems that every year, as November rolls around, we begin to focus on gratitude. We talk about being thankful, and we count our blessings. However, we should be teaching our kids all year long to maintain an attitude of gratitude. I remember having to teach my kids to say thank you for all birthday or Christmas gifts…even if they have two in their closet already. Did Grandma give them another ugly sweater that they will never wear? They should still say thank you. Today, we live in an “I want it now” society, and it seems we always want more. In a day when we have so much, it is still sometimes difficult to be grateful for what we have instead of wanting more and more.
Maintain an Attitude of Gratitude
Lead by example
It is important for our kids to see us modeling gratitude. Even little things count. We are the biggest influences in our children’s lives. When someone lets me over in traffic, I give a little wave out the back window. I try to smile at and thank cashiers at the store and servers at restaurants.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1
Count your blessings
It’s important that we focus on our blessings and express our gratitude often. One thing I started with Emma a long time ago was to thank God for three things every night during our bedtime prayers. “Dear God, thank you for…” Her thank-you’s would range from rain to make the grass grow, a new toy, mommy and daddy, and an extra chapter in a her bedtime book. This was an intentional way for us to express our gratitude on an {almost} daily basis. During the Thanksgiving holiday season, we have also created “thankful” trees where we took turns writing what we were thankful for and displaying them throughout the month.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give them perspective
Sometimes, our kids need a little perspective. When mine don’t like the dinner I have prepared, I remind them to be grateful that they have dinner to eat. If they complain about not getting the toy they want in the store, I remind them about how much we already have. When Em complained about not getting the blinged out jeans her friends were wearing, I told her to be thankful for the clothes she does have.
Emma likes to go through her old clothes and toys to gather things to donate to the needy. She absolutely loves shopping and packaging shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Both of these activities help her to remember that there are people in the world who live with much less than what we have.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17
Gratitude isn’t something we should focus on in November only. It’s important that we practice an attitude of gratitude all year long. When we are thankful for what we we have, it’s easier to be content with our lives.
These are such wonderful pointers to share.
It’s so important to lead by example. I was just contemplating this morning as I read in Hosea, how a parent’s knowledge of the Word can have a huge impact on their child’s life.
Wonderful pointers. Thanks for sharing.
Pinned to my community parenting board!
xoxo
Wonderful post Tara. Pinned!
Words of wisdom. It’s so much easier to get kids involved in service projects if they’re already practicing an attitude of gratitude during the year.
I’d love for you to share your post at my Motivation Monday linky if you have a chance.
Giving my kids perspective is usually my biggest challenge.
I’d love to share! Thanks for the invitation.
Thank you! And, thank you for sharing.
Thanks! And, thanks for sharing. 🙂
These are some great points that I need to keep in mind. Pinned it! Found your blog on Mom’s Library and started following on Google +.
Erin
http://theeveryday-mom.blogspot.com/
I’m so glad you stopped by! Thanks so much for pinning. I’m going to head over to visit your blog. I love finding new mommy bloggers to follow.
I like the idea of finding three things to be thankful for every night during prayers. That makes it a daily habit, instead of just once a year during November. Thanks for the inspiration!
The other day, my two youngest sons were bickering and arguing until I thought I would loose control. I finally told the that they would stay in their room together and go back and forth sharing about things they were thankful for. They had to make this thankful exchange until they each shared 20 things that they they were thankful for. I was not the only one who was blessed by their change of attitude… Even at ages 9 and 11 they could feel the change in their hearts as they thanked God.
Practicing an attitude of gratitude! Beautiful!
That is so awesome! And, it’s a lesson that will stick with all of you for a long time. Thanks for sharing your story with me.
Modeling gratitude is so so important. How can we teach something that we are unwilling to practice? Thanks for this post! Very inspiring
We are working so hard to instill the attitude of gratitude in our children. Your post is wonderful. I found myself chuckling at a few of your ideas as I’ve used some of them myself. Great read!
I am guilty of not modeling gratitude myself. Good reminder. Thanks for sharing on the #HomeMattersParty . I hope you will join us again next week.