We live in a very materialistic world, everywhere we turn there is some kind of propaganda to get you to buy something. Radio, television and magazine ads are constantly promoting the latest toy, gadget, or fashion craze. Throw your kid in the mix of this with his peers and you can easily create an entitled, ungrateful child. In an article on David Wolfe, an overview of Amy McCready’s book, The “Me, Me, Me” Epidemic: A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Capable, Grateful Kids in an Over-Entitled World is given. In this book, she details a few strategies to help parents model gratitude and help their children do the same. Below are strategies that are covered in the article.
Go Without Luxury
Catering to a child’s every desire can cause them to feel entitled. To help your children feel grateful for what they already have, try going without luxury for a week or a month. Decide what that means for your family. Is it no eating out or no television?
Volunteer
Check your schedule and find a day when your family can volunteer. Sit down and discuss your volunteer options with your children, and let them pick the activity.
Find the Silver Lining
When a soccer game gets rained out or the movie your kids wanted to see is sold out, find the silver lining to show your children there is always something to be grateful for.
Say “Thank you”
Children will follow the example that their parents set. Generously thank the people who interact with you in a positive way — the person who bags your groceries, the stranger who holds the door for you, your waiter or waitress.
Make Gratitude Part of Your Routine
Go around the dinner table and have each person say three things they’re thankful for. Make it a daily routine and challenge each family member to find something different to be grateful for each day.
Change Your Perspective
Stop saying “I have to” and start saying “I get to.” This simple tweak may be more difficult than it sounds, but changing your perspective can help remind you to be grateful for even the little, exhausting and sometimes frustrating moments of parenting.
Source: http://www.davidwolfe.com/6-ways-raise-grateful-kids-entitled-world/
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