Let's see today if we can equip you with a few tools to raise grateful children in an entitled world and help them feel and express gratitude regularly.
5 Ways to Raise Grateful Children in an Entitled World
2 Gratitude Activities
Make a Grateful Sayings poster. Get a piece of poster board and write For This I Am Grateful in big, bold letters across the top. Ask everyone in your family to write (or draw) something they are grateful for on the poster. It can be something big, like getting an A on a test or winning the soccer championship, or something small, like getting to stay up an extra 15 minutes or taking a fun walk with Dad. Ask each family member to put their name or initials under what they write or draw. Keep the poster up all month so that everybody can continue adding to it. By making this a month-long activity, you are showing your family that gratitude is something we can experience every day if we take the time to notice it. At the end of the month, bring the poster to the dinner table and take turns reading aloud what was written or drawn.
Keep a gratitude journal. (see example below) Most of us spend far more time thinking about how we can correct something that has gone wrong, worrying about something that is about to go wrong (or will never go wrong), or simply replaying a failure or setback, than we do basking in what has gone right and being grateful for our everyday blessings.
Next to each positive event that your child lists, have them write a reflection (just a sentence or two) on any of the topics below:
So, How Do We Raise Grateful Children in This Entitled World?
By being grateful parents and examples of gratitude. Encourage grateful thinking. Sharing gratitude every day. Reinforcing grateful behavior with positive benefits. Use visual reminders of gratitude around your home.
Looking for Scripture related to gratitude? Checkout our 36 Verses of Thanksgiving & Praise post.
The 3-Minute Gratitude Journal for Kids
A journal that teaches children to practice gratitude and mindfulness. The 3-Minute Gratitude Journal is a guide to cultivate an attitude of gratitude in your children. It is a self exploration journal designed to focus on being thankful for what we have, the big things in life, as well as the simple joys. Each well designed, kid-friendly daily spread contains space to list 3 things they are thankful for, a person who brought them joy and how they felt about their day. If they start each day by writing down 3 things they are thankful for—a family, a favorite teacher, starting a good book—they begin each day on the right note. Doing this daily, will help your child create a habit of focusing on the blessings they have been given! Grab a copy for a friend and let them share the journey together!
How have you been intentional about raising your children to be grateful humans in this atmosphere of entitlement we live in?
Hi friend, welcome to InstaEncouragements. I am so glad you are here. You’re among friends. You belong here.
How would you like access to our online library of helpful eBooks, devotionals, printables, lock screens, and more? You’re going to love this library, there is all kinds of exclusive content, just for you!
Join the movement by signing up below and I'll send you the link today. And no worries, We don’t spam. Promise! We don’t like spam either.
After you've joined the movement, hop on over to our about page to learn more about us and then to our contact form and introduce yourself so we can be on a first-name basis. I'd like that!