Christmas is a season for children. The little ones spend the entire year looking forward to this season when they receive loads of gifts. Our children are lucky enough that their parents and friends can afford to give them the gifts that they want. They are oblivious to the suffering and death of resources that other children in other parts of the world are experiencing. As parents, we have to make sure that our children are truly thankful for the gifts that they receive and the life that they live. Aside from some social consciousness, showing our kids how to be grateful will teach them to put more value in what they have. They should be made to understand the value of hard work and diligence in being able to enjoy these material things.
The first thing that you have to do to teach your children to be thankful is to lead by example. They should see you with the same behaviour and attitude. For every little thing that you receive, express sincere gratitude. You might think nothing of it, but your reaction when your children give you hand-made gifts or simple greeting cards have an effect on how grateful they will become. Be appreciative of their little gestures of love and giving.
Expressing gratitude through generosity is another way through which your children can learn to be thankful. Teach them the attitude of “giving back.” Participating in charity events is one way to demonstrate this attitude. You can also organize your own charitable project by rounding up your family members and friends to either raise funds or goods to give to the less fortunate. Volunteering at the soup kitchen is another example of a charitable deed that could be an eye-opener for kids to realize how lucky they are with the things that they have. It’s not only about the Christmas gifts that they received, it’s about being thankful for living the kind of life that they have.
