How To Raise Kind and Grateful Kids
Every parent wants to raise a kind and grateful child. But in today’s world, where people are beginning to feel more and more entitled and learning to take things for granted, this can prove to be a rather difficult job.
Sometimes, you may feel like your child is not thankful for everything you do for them and it's completely normal for parents to feel that way. It does not make you a bad parent. What matters though is what you decide to do about your child’s behavior and attitude. If you think they are not grateful and kind enough, it’s important that you teach them how to be. You can follow the tips outlined below to ensure that your kids grow up to be kind and grateful.
- Model the behavior you would like them to adopt
As a parent, you need to understand that your kids look to you more than you may realize. They themselves may not realize it, but they tend to replicate your attitude, your words and the way you treat other people. So, if you want your kids to be kind and grateful, make sure you have these qualities first. For example, say “thank you” to them and to other for even the smallest things. The more they hear it, the more embedded it will be in their mind and they too will start doing the same.
- Appreciate and thank the people who serve
Saying “thank you” should not be only for your family and friends. Make sure to thank those who serve you too. Acknowledge the things that these people do to make small but significant differences in your life. It can be the bus driver, the maid, or the waiter at the restaurant. If you are kind to these people and show your appreciation, your kids will mirror your attitude and actions.
- Don’t buy them whatever they want
Many parents tend to buy their kids a lot of material belongings, whether they are clothes, toys, stationery items or anything else. In the kind of world that we live in today, this will only encourage them to develop a sense of entitlement, preventing them from cultivating kindness and gratitude. So, when you take your kids shopping, make sure to specify if you are going out just to “look” or you are going out to “buy”. Differentiating between “look day” and “buy day” will help them develop the understanding that accumulating a lot of material belongings will not create contentment.
