Growth of Gratitude: 3 Tips for all Parents

How do you encourage a grateful heart in your children?

I believe our children are naturally born not understanding how to show gratitude to others...we are selfish beings, we humans, and especially when we are little, we are only worried about our own needs.  We are prone to feeling entitled to have what we want without thinking about others.

There are easy opportunities to build in gratitude with our littles however...here are 3 ideas:

1. Model it ~ I know, nothing news-breaking here, but it is simply this: if your children never see you showing gratitude to others, if all they hear you do is complain and whine about how others have it better (more money, bigger home, more obedient kids, etc) how will they ever have any idea what it means to be grateful?  So, make a point to show gratitude, especially in front of your kiddos...a simple "thank you" to the checkout clerk...a mention of how lucky or blessed you are to have a roof over your head...start with small stuff and work up to the things you have a harder time being grateful for in your own life.
2. Broaden your child's worldview ~ volunteer in a food shelf, meet up with someone that grew up in another culture, sponsor a child through World Vision or Compassion International.  Basically, expand your child's world, so they realize that others live a very different experience, not necessarily better or worse, but different.
3. Involve them ~ When we give our children everything they want, when they have no "stake" in the things they own, activities they are involved in, or gifts they give to others, and it is hard for them to feel anything but entitlement for those things.  However, when we do the extra work (and YES, it does take extra work) of involving them in the process of these things, they will naturally learn to care more and be more grateful for the things they have...they want a new toy/clothes/activity?  Have them earn money for it, do chores to earn it, or otherwise have some work/effort connected to it.

Building a grateful heart is no easy process, but you can do it!  If this is something you struggle with as a parent, start small...pick one thing:

• write down one thing everyday you are grateful for
• send one text a day to someone, letting them know you are thankful for them
• figure what you complain about most and create a "trigger" for yourself (eg. when you feel like complaining because your home is too small, remind yourself that not all are so lucky to have a roof over their heads)
• do "without" something for awhile...fancy coffee, eating out, sugar.  This reminds us how lucky we are to normally be able to have these things.
• at supper/breakfast/in the car have family members share something they are thankful for

What do you think is missing from this list?  

What is time you saw your kiddos show a glimmer of hope with learning what gratitude is?

10 Snow Day Activities For When You are Stuck Inside (Again!)

Play "Hide the SnowBalls"

Grab those cotton balls from your nail polish stash and hide them all around a room (or the whole house!).  then send your kids on a "snowball hunt."

Print Off Color Sheets

Our favorite site is coloring-book.info  - tons of awesome coloring sheets with all their favorite characters!

Build With Marshmallows

Get out the marshmallows, big & little, and some toothpicks and let the kids build...challenge them to build the tallest, biggest, structure they can.

Take a Colorful Bath

My kids love this simple idea.  Add a few drops of food coloring to a bath.  Let them play.  It is that easy and will help burn some time off the clock.  Supervise as is appropriate for their age.

Break Out the Bubbles

Use bubbles in your kitchen and then clean up the floor together when you are done!

A great, homemade bubble recipe is: 3 c water  1 c dishwashing liquid (Joy works best!) and 1/2 c corn syrup

Challenge...Accepted!

How many times can you run up and down the hallway in a minute?  Go jump in the living room 20 times, then run back in give me a high five.  Can you do a wall-sit longer than mom?  You get the idea...help them burn off some energy and BOTH of your days will be happier!

Raid the Recycling Bin

See what you can make out of cardboard, clean containers (you know, the ones without the sharp edges), and other "found" objects.

Make Your Own "Parachute"

Drag out a tablecloth or sheet and make your own parachute.  Give your stuffed animals a ride, toss cotton balls on it, or be really brave and use marshmallows!

Make Playdough

Bay far my favorite playdough recipe is this one...

2 c. water – heated to boiling in microwave

4 t. cream of tartar*    1 c. salt

4 T. oil (baby, vegetable, or canola)

2-3 c. flour

Mix together in metal dish with metal spoon until well blended.  Turn onto floured surface to finish mixing.  Store in an airtight container.  Will last for months.

Optional add ins:

Swap out ½ flour, swap in cocoa powder – will smell and look like chocolate.  Add in spices like cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice.  Add food coloring.  Mix will a packet of Kool Aid, grape works especially well.  Add in extract like vanilla, peppermint, orange, etc.

(*Note: If you do not have cream of tartar, you can try lemon juice, use 8t. of this)

Get out golf tees, birthday candles, kitchen gadgets, small cars, muffin pans, and play with the play dough!

Baking Soda & Vinegar

Check out my previous post with the fun we had with this...It just never gets old!!!

http://parentinginlittlefalls.blogspot.com/2013/04/baking-soda-vinegar-fun.html

Mix these activities in with a little cleaning and a little Netflix and your day will be a great one!

Here are a few other links with some more great ideas!

http://herviewfromhome.com/36-snow-day-activities-and-ideas-for-your-kids/

http://www.frugalupstate.com/general-frugality/40-things-to-do-on-a-school-snow-day/

What is your favorite sanity saver on a day when you are stuck indoors?