A grateful heart

Yesterday I was chatting with a friend of mine and she asked me my opinion on how to make your child grateful for what they have and not wishful that they had more.  I pondered this thought for a couple of days and I came up with two thoughts on this subject.

1) To teach your children to be grateful you must show gratitude.  I don't just mean with other people, but with them and with each other.  Be thankful for all the little things you have and don't be afraid to show it.  I never miss an opportunity to say how thankful I am for my husband, my children, our family, and all the little things we have.  Some days I just say, "I am thankful for the sunshine." or "Isn't it wonderful that we have enough food to eat, think about the poor children who don't".  Make sure you are truly grateful and they will be too!

2) Teach your children to give with an open heart.  When your children learn to truly see someone's needs they will learn to be grateful for what they have.  If children begin to look at other people as other people in need, they will begin to see that they aren't the only ones who don't have everything. 

Thankfulness is learned by example.  A grateful spirit rubs off on those around you.  A giving heart is watched and noticed and also learned.