Family and Parenting: Information For Families

A simple “Thank You” can go a long way. This is no over statement. The power in gratitude can resonate through an entire day, week, or even through the years. One of the most important virtues any family can reiterate to their kids is thankfulness, gratitude, and being grateful for what you have in this life.
A simple way to express this gratitude (if you have smaller children) is to begin a tradition of thankfulness. When your children are younger, each Thanksgiving holiday, have every person in the family write down a list of ten things that are most important to them, in their life today. Put these lists in a large bowl and at the dinner table have each person draw a list to read out loud (unless some of the kids are too young to read on their own). Be sure to keep the lists each year and compare them to the last. You can watch them grow, and watch their maturity unfold in their thankfulness.

When it comes to a child’s thankful nature it can actually be dependent on the actions of the parents. When it comes to a child’s behavior at home, and school, activities such as chores, and demands such as good grades should be acknowledged with love; your personal time and attention. These are things that are asked of the child on an everyday basis and the rewards should not be connected with a physical ‘prize’. Giving prizes for normal good behavior will send a message of ‘buying their cooperation’.

A child wants to be thankful naturally and they would prefer your love, care and attention, rather than your money (teenagers are a different story). When it comes to treats, you want to give special rewards for a child’s special actions and achievements. Such as reaching a planned goal that they set for themselves. This type of reward reiterates determination, goal setting, and following through. Make it a big deal when presents are involved and this will make it clear that hard work and persistence pay off.

A big no-no for parents is forgetting to practice what you preach. When teaching thankfulness you must always be on-guard and remember to show thankfulness, and gratitude, yourself. If you ask your child to say “Please” and “Thank you” but you do not give them the same courteous treatment in return, when they show you kindness or do you a favor, then how will that look to them? Follow your own guidance and your lesson will be taken to heart.