Life isn’t fair and sometimes it’s up to us parents to raise a child who is capable of appreciating the big and small things life has to offer. Most parents go to great lengths to teach their children to be grateful for the big and small things in their lives. True gratitude can be instilled through little directors.

Gratitude is having an appreciation for all that has been blessed and recognizing that these small gifts are a blessing regardless. This happiness shows up at school, at home, and in the relationships they build with their loved ones, as well as their friends.

When a child is taught to be grateful from an early age, this positive characteristic is reflected even in their teens and adulthood. Many people who weren’t raised to be grateful from a young age tend to struggle with the concept, especially as they reach adulthood. So how can you teach children to appreciate all things in their lives, big or small?

teach by action

One of the easiest ways to teach your child to be grateful is by practicing the same concept yourself. Children, from an early age, tend to shape their behaviors based on how they see adults behaving. “Adult” here means parents, relatives, teachers, and any other adults with whom your child has ongoing interactions.

Have you ever heard the term “practice what you preach”? This is one of those occasions when it is advisable to show your little ones that you not only expect them to perform this act, but that you are willing to do the same.

Raising children requires patience, kindness, compassion, responsibility, and the list goes on. When we practice this, our children absorb it. Leading by example is the best and most difficult lesson in raising good people. Giving yourself to a higher purpose, like teaching gratitude, is one of the best things we can do for our little ones when they are a tender and impressionable age.

An easy way to do this is to introduce a family routine where everyone sits down daily and says what they are thankful for, no matter how small. This will eventually set the wheels in motion and hopefully show your children that there is so much in this world that they will always be grateful for.

spread love

There is no better way to teach your children about love than by taking care of those around you. Being generous with what little you have allows your child to begin to be considerate of the feelings of others, and not just his own. Encourage your little one to share with those less fortunate or their friends. Instead of always considering what they would want for Christmas, why not encourage them to also think about other gifts they would like to give to the people they love?

We all want to give our children everything they want, but sometimes buying them everything can cause more harm than good. They must be taught to value what they receive without expecting more. If your child ends up having as many toys as he wants, he won’t appreciate his possessions. They will always want something shinier and newer because they have been brought up with the idea that all they have to do is point and it is theirs.

Depending on their age, your youth may begin to give back to the community. Make helping a community part of your family activity. He starts volunteering at a nursing home, homeless shelters, etc. When your children begin to interact with those who are less fortunate, those with health problems, they will begin to appreciate the little things like their health, their family, their home that they would have otherwise taken for granted.

Another beautiful tradition to introduce would be to encourage your children to donate their old toys to charity. Maybe instill a “one in, one out” policy where if they’re going to get a new toy, they’ll have to get rid of an old one. Children tend to form close bonds with their toys, so this lesson can be very educational for them.

Instead of simply donating these old toys to charity through the mail, why not take your child to a charity home where they can see firsthand the joys their old toys bring to a less fortunate child? This lesson will not only teach gratitude but also compassion.

let them work for it

You need your relatives to understand that things don’t magically appear when you want them to. A great way to instill this is by allowing them to earn their rewards. Start handing out individual tasks for your assignment.

Teach them to save for what they want and only then can they buy it; this will educate them about money and its value. It will also allow them to take care of their possessions and appreciate what they have. This lesson will also allow them to get a realistic perspective of what their parents do to them.

Encourage “thank you” notes

Sending handwritten thank you notes is a dying profession and we believe that children should be encouraged to participate. When your child receives gifts, parents should help them send thank you notes to everyone who bought them a gift.

This not only has to be practiced when it comes to gifts. Encourage them to thank their teachers, their pediatricians, their family members, etc. – There are tons of opportunities for your child to recognize a kind gesture and say thank you. If they start young, this habit will become part of them as they transition into adulthood.

The glass is always half full

Sometimes it’s part of human nature to see the world in a negative light. Many of us complain and despair over small things (this is very normal), but it can be helpful if, as a parent, you could perhaps try to always find a silver lining. Teach your child/children to find something positive in every circumstance.