Be Smart! Train Your Child to have an Attitude of Gratitude.

As a Parent are You Teaching Your Child to have ‘An Attitude of Gratitude’- or of  Entitlement?

What is Gratitude?

1. Gratitude:  ‘The quality of being thankful; with a willingness to show appreciation for, and to return kindness.
2. Gratitude is a state of mind.
3. Gratitude expressed, touches hearts, opens up and humbles people.
4. Gratitude enriches, elevates, energises, inspires and transforms human life.
5. Gratitude is not about how much a person receives, or possesses. It has much more to do with their attitude.
6. Gratitude doesn’t bloom, unless we cultivate it.

“Gratitude improves emotional and physical health and can strengthen relationships and communities.”  

Tim Edmore

Dr. Robert Emmons’ team, from U.C. Davis, found that people who view life as a gift and consciously acquire an “attitude of gratitude” experience multiple advantages.

Gratitude is a choice we make, without which life can be lonely, depressing and impoverished.  

What is Entitlement?

1. Entitlement: ‘The mindset of having a right to something.
2. Entitlement the Inverse of Gratitude.
3. Entitlement towards something makes people far less able to thank anyone for what they demand.
4. Entitlement is what our modern world is cultivating.

Are You, as a Parent?

1. Enhancing Entitlement within Your Child?

• Are you giving them more than they need… and acting as though they really need it?
• In society today this has become the norm and we all need to stop and take a long hard look at our own families.

2. Fostering a sense of entitlement instead of a work ethic?

• One of the most efficient methods of cultivating a sense of gratitude is to build a strong work ethic in your child.
• Teaching your child, through experience, how to work for what they want, helps them recognise the value of waiting and working.
• Gratitude and work ethic often go hand in hand. Failing to build this work ethic frequently results in ingratitude.

3. Focusing on materialistic rather than intrinsic goals?

•  We develop gratitude when we focus on items that money cannot purchase. Not everything needs to be new, or the best.  
• Learning to do without, or with something that is less expensive, will help your child to have more appreciation for life.
• Teach your child that joy comes from creating something, using whatever  they see around them.  

“Too many people buy things they don’t need, with money they don’t have, to impress people they don’t even like!”

4. Failing to express gratitude yourself?

“Children have never been good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.”

James Baldwin.

• The best way to reduce gratitude in young people, is to fail to express gratitude yourself.  
• Lead by example. As parents we need to look at how we lead our children.
• Praying over each meal and thanking God for the food He provided and for those who prepared it for us, creates a habit of gratitude. 

“It’s not your position in life; it’s the disposition you have, which changes your position.” 

Dr. David McKinley.

How to Replace Entitlement with Gratitude within Your Child?

Ask your child to answer these questions?

When they think about these statements, it will help them to establish an attitude of gratitude.

1. What are you grateful for?
2. Who, in your life, are you grateful for?
3. Look around and list all that you are grateful for.
4. Look around and see whether you are respecting others around you.
5. Look around and be thankful for the small things that others do for you.
6. Stop… and ask what I can do to help those around me?
7. Stop focusing on yourself and focus on others.
8. Am I being generous to others, in words, kindness or deeds?
9. Do I always have a spirit of humility – and am I thankful?

One of the most robust findings in the field of positive psychology is on the benefits of gratitude. It helps stave off depression, evokes positive emotions in others, and increases well-being.”

Psychologist: Nancy Darling.

Cultivating an ‘attitude of gratitude’ can actually combat other negative emotions such as cynicism, resentment and anger.

The benefits of being grateful are limitless, so do not ignore entitlement signs within your children.

What does God’s Word say about Gratitude?

Let’s remember why God constantly calls us to be thankful…

1. Gratitude is His will.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18.

“Thanksgiving puts the focus on Him and leads us to trust Him more fully.”

2. Gratitude helps guard our hearts.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4–7

3. Gratitude takes the focus off ourselves.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” Matthew 22:37b–40

Finally, Instil the Practice of Thanksgiving and Prayer in Your Child.

• Thanksgiving changes our hearts, minds and attitudes.
• Thanksgiving keeps our minds on others.
• When we are not spending so much time thinking about ourselves, we have more room to love others well.
• Prayer and thanksgiving go hand-in-hand and connect us in a way that changes us.  
• Giving thanks, as we pray, protects us from the lies of Satan.
• Never underestimate the power of prayer and thanksgiving.

Read more in this post: ‘Take Control of Your Child’s Destiny through Prayer.’

The Lord says; “To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given.”  Mark 4:25.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I thank you for Your words of wisdom, which guide me to embrace an attitude of gratitude within my home. Please continue to bless me and my family and to walk with me as I parent my children. In Jesus name I pray… Amen.

Go and be awesome, and may God bless you…

Please leave your comments below…..

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