Teaching Kids to Be Thankful

This is November and Thanksgiving isn't too far off. It's a perfect time to start teaching kids about being thankful (if you haven't already).

Well I have a little one that just seems to have a hard time being thankful.

It's not that unusual for kids to be self centered when they are little. Kids commonly want to be first in line, want the newest toy even though they have loads of toys at home, and basically want everything their way.

That doesn't mean they will always be that way. Sometimes we, as parents, need to show them all the wonderful things they already have in life. Then from there they can start helping others feels so blessed.

Grateful Journal
One thing my family does is keep a grateful journal.

Nothing fancy or complicated.

We purchased pocket sized weekly calendars for each of us at the dollar store and write one sentence or phrase a day.

There are only two rules we follow. Everyone must write something everyday and you can't write the same thing more than once a month.

I've found it really helps us to focus on the good things that happen in our lives. Obviously some days are easier than others, but there is always something to be thankful for. 


Grateful Jar
Another thing we do is have a grateful jar. This is fun and easy too.

Whenever something memorable happens we write it on a slip of paper and stick it in a jar labeled 2013.

Then at the end of the year, usually on New Years Eve, we read through all the slips of paper. Reminiscing about all the fun we had the past year.

Modeling
My family also tries to teach how to be thankful by showing we are thankful. That means saying it to a stranger who holds open a door, a family member who helps with the dishes or a child for picking up their toys.

How to you teach your children to give thanks?