I have a 4 year old girl and a 3 year old boy, how do I instill a sense of appreciation and gratitude in them? We are truly blessed in our lives with family, material things etc but my kids seem to take everything for granted. They especially take their Dad for granted and don’t seem to appeciate what a great father he is. How do I turn things around?
Storyintheeyes – thanks for answering – I guess my issue goes deeper than please & thank yous – my kids say the words but I doubt the get the meaning
Talk to them about people who aren’t as fortunate or for things like Christmas (I plan to do this when my children are older) have them pick out a present they would like and have them donate it to a charity or social services for foster children. I would put it simply to them since they are little. If Daddy does something great say you are lucky not everyone has a nice Daddy like you do. Go give him a big hug and kiss. One thing that is important is to raise them knowing not everyone is like them. For instance my brother came home one day and said his boy in his class was bugging him about why our Dad didn’t live at our house. He was telling my brother he was weird and asking if our Dad was dead. My brother told him that my parents were divorced and he saw my Dad on the weekends. This kid didn’t get it because nobody ever told him that some kids parents don’t live together. They were only in kindergarten at the time.
January 27, 2010
How do you instill a sense of appreciation in your children?
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at this age its a little harder to do that. BUT one thing I do with my kids kids, if someone helps us, I make sure they say thank you
even after my son had 4 teaspoons of blood drawn as part of an autism study, screaming and all he sniffles thank you.
just keep instiliing that and next year show them how hard daddy works by taking them by there to see him work
I always tell my kids, we must say thank you to those who help us even the ones that bag our groceries and they do and the workers are always surprised ( well not where we normally go cause they know my kids,lol )
good luck
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Comment by storyinthephoto — January 27, 2010 @ 2:50 pm
The best way to do this is to start young teaching them the value of working for what they have. At their age, they are old enough to put away their toys, help care for pets, put away blankets or clothes, and other small jobs. Instead of just giving them toys and treats, explain that they have jobs they need to do, and that when they do those jobs correctly, they will have earned their treat. My parents started with small things like cleaning my room when I was young, and moved up to things like paying for my own expenses and college education now, and I realize it will be worth it one day.
I also liked the previous suggestion about taking them to the dad’s job if possible. At their age, they won’t realize just what a great father he is- that seems to come when people are much older. You can explain to them that not everyone has a daddy who is as nice, fun, etc. as theirs, and encourage them to show him thanks through hugs, drawings, or whatever else.
Finally, when they get just a bit older get them involved in community service and helping the misfortunate. Collecting food and toys for drives, volunteering at animal shelters or something like that is a great way to open kid’s eyes to real life.
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Comment by Audrey — January 27, 2010 @ 2:55 pm
Talk to them about people who aren’t as fortunate or for things like Christmas (I plan to do this when my children are older) have them pick out a present they would like and have them donate it to a charity or social services for foster children. I would put it simply to them since they are little. If Daddy does something great say you are lucky not everyone has a nice Daddy like you do. Go give him a big hug and kiss. One thing that is important is to raise them knowing not everyone is like them. For instance my brother came home one day and said his boy in his class was bugging him about why our Dad didn’t live at our house. He was telling my brother he was weird and asking if our Dad was dead. My brother told him that my parents were divorced and he saw my Dad on the weekends. This kid didn’t get it because nobody ever told him that some kids parents don’t live together. They were only in kindergarten at the time.
References :
Landon’s Mommy.
Comment by Supermommy!!! — January 27, 2010 @ 3:13 pm
you have to teach them how to handle disappointment and then they will learn the rest. The only way to do that is to discipline them and stick to it, the problem now a days is parents care to much about hurting their kids feelings. Sometimes ill fib to my kids. If there being bad ill say something like "well iv had it, now were not gonna go get ice cream like i planned’ They start begging and crying and i simple say NO you have missed behaved. ITS ALLOT HARDER TO STICK TO YOUR GUNS WHEN YOU FIBBING TO START WITH LOL
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Comment by jmm76 — January 27, 2010 @ 3:56 pm
Your kids watch everything you do . By being a good example you can show them a good example. They learn by what they see. Making gestures and getting them to follow is always a way of helping them learn.
IF you don’t spoil their child and help them to earn, save, and be respectable they will learn good values
References :
mom of 4
http://keeperbay.com/nightowlmama/
Comment by 4Babymama — January 27, 2010 @ 4:10 pm
Be a role model for them. Be sure to show genuine gratitude and thankfulness to everything and everyone you see. It sounds weird, but your kids really look up to you. Also, try taking things that they don’t appreciate away. They will realize how much they actually appreciated that thing, and soon they will want it back. Don’t force pleases and thank you’s, this will tire your kids of gratitude and it has only a flat meaning. One more thing: be sure to thank your kids for evey small thing they do for you. This will send a really positive message.
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Comment by gotice23 — January 27, 2010 @ 4:52 pm