4 Simple Ways to Teach Gratitude to Your Child

Sometimes the great love and appreciation showered by parents’ leads to their child becoming ungrateful for things, people and various comforts available in his/her life. As a result, the child may start complaining about not having enough - like wanting more toys, a bigger house, longer holidays, and more attention - more of everything. It important to teach your child to appreciate the value of all the good things in his/her life– be they material goods or relationships.

How Can You Teach Child to Be Grateful and Aware?

Here’s how you can teach your child to be grateful and aware, thus inculcating in them an attitude of gratitude, which will shape the way they live their lives as children and adults -

#1. Teach them value for money: 

It is certainly not a good idea to say ‘yes’ whenever or to whatever your child demands. If a parent is too submissive, the child will definitely fall in the habit of wanting more -and expect all his/her demands to be fulfilled. Reason out with your child logically why s/he cannot buy so many toys or an expensive dress or go on a holiday abroad. Maintain a balance between being too strict about spending money and too lenient about squandering money. [Read How to Teach Child The Value Of Money?]

#2. Be a Positive Role Model:

Always remember children imitate and take on behaviour patterns, attitudes and even habits from their parents. If they see their parents cribbing and being unappreciative about what they have, then children will act the same way too. If your child observes you appreciating even the smallest of things life has given you, then they will grow up to be appreciative adults. Talk to your child about your grandparents, your parents, other family members. Tell them often how thankful you are for all the love, comforts and health God has given you.

#3. Inculcate Empathy & Humility:

Help your child to get involved in some charity work as s/he grows older. S/he should know that there are less fortunate people around us and everybody doesn’t get to enjoy the same luxuries. On festivals or on special days like birthdays, have them donate their old toys, clothes or distribute food to underprivileged children. You child will realise how fortunate s/he is to enjoy almost everything and will learn to appreciate the great life s/he has.

4. Teach Dignity in Labour:

Encourage your child to do small chores, as per his/her age. Making their own bed, cleaning up their room, helping mom set the dinner table, and other simple tasks which will help him/her to be responsible as well as independent. Make sure you appreciate their efforts and s/he will begin to appreciate the hard work being put in by his/her father, mother and servants of the house and thus teach them the value and dignity of labour.

Our children are the future. The values we inculcate in them will help them shape their future lives and the world we live in. Teaching them the value of money, hard work and relationships will definitely go a long way in creating better lives for themselves and a better world!

Did you find Ridhi’s tips on inculcating an attitude of gratitude in your child useful? How do you teach your child to be grateful and value the gifts s/he has? Do share your experiences and learnings with us in the comments section below. We love hearing from you !