Teaching kids an attitude of gratitude during the holidays is a great way for you as a parent to encourage compassion and understanding in your children. Not only do you want to teach them to be individually grateful in their own lives, but also to understand others needs. Building their compassion and gratitude as a child will help them to be wonderful loving and grateful adults.
Teaching Kids An Attitude Of Gratitude During The Holidays
Volunteer to feed the homeless. There is nothing that works better for teaching kids an attitude of gratitude during the holidays than putting them face to face with those who are in need. Seeing others honest needs can hep them to understand how great their life actually is. Seeing those who don’ have a home, a bed, or even a guaranteed meal every day can help them to become more thankful for the home and food you provide for them. Soup kitchens, shelters, local events or even something like ringing bell for the Salvation Army can all be a great way to impact your community and your child at the same time.
Purge and donate toys. Kids often have more toys than they could play with if they even played with just one per day for an entire year. Every holiday season, take the time to go through their toys and not only throw away broken items, but create a bag of items to donate. Toys in good condition are perfect for taking to local shelters, state children’s homes or even the local police department to have on and for kids when they are being helped.
Visit your local nursing home. One great way you can begin teaching kids an attitude of gratitude during the holidays is to give them a chance to get to know older individuals in local nursing homes. Not only will they become more grateful for the relationships they have with their family, but they can easily impact the life of another individual. Seeing the loneliness and often even the lack of possessions individuals often have in a rehabilitation center or nursing home can help your child understand and appreciate their own family even more.
Create the three gift rule for your family. Holiday gifts can often be one of the hardest things to make your children become truly grateful for. Teaching kids an attitude of gratitude includes really making sure they understand that gifts aren’t a requirement or a right. Help them to understand that gifts are something special and they should be thankful for what they get. A three gift rule helps you teach your children become more thankful for what they receive. One gift is something they want, one gift is something they need and one gift is something the entire family will enjoy together.
Teaching kids an attitude of gratitude during the holidays is easy when you expose them to reasons to be grateful. Not only do you want your children to appreciate what they have, you also want them to understand and become compassionate for those who are in need around them. These methods are a great way to make that happen.
What other ways can children show their gratitude during the holidays?
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