School summer holidays have already begun for some children, and the rest will follow suit in the next week or so. Typically a time when parents try to juggle the many activities for children, along with a budget that never seems to cover everything, summer holidays can also be a good time to teach children how to be grateful for what they get.
So the trip to Disney World didn’t happen this year (and may not happen next year!), but a few days away at a seaside resort did…and it’s still a holiday that cost money! How do you teach children to appreciate the time, money and organisation that goes into their care? Here are a few tips:
Set a good example
If you’re a do as I say not as I do type of parent, it’s time to change! How many parents do you see saying “please” and/or “thank you” to their children? Children learn best from our own example, and teaching them gratitude is no different to anything else in that respect.
Teach them how to be helpful to others
Even simple things such as holding a door for someone, or helping an elderly person cross the road can teach them the importance of helping others.
Draw up a list
When children start complaining about all they din’t get or don’t have, ask them to make a list of all the purchases made for them and the outings they have been taken on for the year. Like adults seeing everything on paper can be a real eye opener and help them realise that they should show so e gratitude.
It’s the little things in life
Although most of us would not consider heat and light little things, they are things that are always there for our children and we take them for granted, so they are simple things that they usually don’t pay much attention too.
Go online and look for pictures of children their age working on dumps, or show them Youtube videos of underprivileged children to help them see that they have a lot in their lives and should appreciate everything.
