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That's not fair!
Everyone else has one!
I never get what I want!
Ever hear those statements or something like them? Got any gratefulness issues in your home?
How can we help our kids be grateful for God’s physical and spiritual blessings in their lives?
First of all, we can be an example of gratefulness to them. If we are not grateful, what should we expect of them? Do you show gratefulness for your spouse? For things your kids do well around the house? For your church or your workplace? Are you grateful for your boss or do you run him or her down when you come home?
When we set the example of gratefulness, it tends to rub off on our children.
Second, we can point out things they can be grateful for that are not related to us. For example:
“Look at that rainbow! Aren’t you grateful God made us these awesome colors in the sky for us to look at?”
“What an awesome opportunity you get at youth group? Aren’t you grateful your leader takes the time and energy to lead your group well?”
“Wow! Aren’t you grateful you have grandparents who love you so much?”
You get the idea. So often our requests for gratefulness relate to something we have done for them like “I work so hard to take you everywhere and you are always complaining about us being late!” The gratefulness issue is really not about gratefulness but rather an offense you have with your kid.
If you really want your kids to be grateful, set the example for them and then guide them to see gratefulness in things outside of you.
