Children are more likely to do what you do and not just what you say. Therefore, living your own life with a “gratitude attitude” will greatly increase the likelihood of your children following in your footsteps. According to the age of your child, you can adapt different methods to help your child be aware of things to be thankful. I recently read that “children under the age of seven have a less-developed understanding of other people's feelings,” but they along with their older sibling can and must be taught at their age now to be thankful for needs that have been met and blessings that have been received.  Here are four practical helps that I came across in studying this topic that I believe can be applied by every parent to help their child have a “gratitude attitude.”

1. Make "thank-you" a real expression of emotion. Draw or write thank you notes together when you receive gifts and talk about how nice it feels when someone does something nice for you or sends a present in the mail.

2. Talk about consequences of behavior in terms of other people's feelings. Instead of explaining that you shouldn't push someone else because it's not nice or you'll have to sit in a time out, talk about how pushing might make the other person feel. Use memories of past hurts to help your child understand.

3. Avoid excess. If your child's room is already overflowing with toys, it's harder for them to appreciate a new toy offered as a gift.

4. Appreciate your child. Demonstrate gratitude and appreciation for your child, especially when your child does kind things for you or others.

     Tim Rabon, Jr.

       Children's Ministry Director