In a recent post I gave 7 Tips For Teaching Your Kids To Be Grateful. Today I’m going to continue with a few more thoughts, and ONE very special way we helped one of our kids show gratitude.
Our kids will normally take many things for granted, unless we encourage them to be thankful.
For example, remind your kids to thank Daddy for working so hard to take care of them. When Mom stops what she is doing at home to take one of them to a special activity, remind them to say thanks. When a sibling shares with them, or helps them with something, encourage them to be thankful.
Then of course, we want to encourage them to be thankful for those who spend time investing in them.
When they come home from church talking about what they learned in Sunday School, mention how blessed they are to have a teacher who takes time to prepare a lesson from God’s Word to teach them. After a church service, share thoughts from the sermon, and comment on how glad you are for a preacher who loves your family, and spends time preparing messages to help them grow in the Lord.
When my oldest daughter was close to her 16th birthday, she talked about wanting to have a special birthday party.
I encouraged her to think of all the Godly ladies who had been an encouragement to her in her walk with the Lord, as she was growing up. Then I suggested that it would be really special to not just invite her friends/peers to the party, but also those adults who had invested in her life.
The adult ladies that came included some relatives, Sunday School teachers, the mom of one of her good friends, and some adults from church who had encouraged her through the years.
At the party, we played games, and ate. Then my daughter spoke for a few minutes thanking the ladies who were there for their investment and influence in her life.
This was a great way for my daughter to not only be grateful, but to express that gratitude. It was also a reminder to her siblings about remembering to be thankful, and the importance of expressing their gratitude to others.
What are some things you do to teach your kids gratitude?
What a neat idea for a birthday party!
Thanks Mussita! It was really special and fun for all who came.
I love this Kathie!! I’m sure it meant so much to each of the women who were invited, and is something your kids won’t ever forget. Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks Jen! It did touch the ladies who were honored, and holds a special memory for my kids as well.
Love this! You are so good about teaching your children to constantly think of others even when something is about themselves! Our friends did something like this for their daughter’s homeschool graduation. Everyone left refreshed and encouraged–focused on the Lord!!! She said it was very special to her!!!
Thank you — so glad you like it!