“What do you say?” is a common phrase said by parents like myself whenever our children are given something. In our family, once our kids reach the age when they are able to learn baby signs, we teach them how to say/sign “thank you,” among other things.
When it comes to receiving gifts, especially on special occasions like birthdays and Christmas, parents would do well by teaching their kids how to be grateful for such presents. Of course, it would be best for children to learn about being thankful every day, not just on special days.
The importance of this is emphasized by Christine Carter, a sociologist, happiness expert, and director of UC Berkeley's Greater Good Parents program, who says: “if we don't teach kids gratitude and practice it with them, they grow up feeling entitled, and entitlement does not lead to happiness. On the contrary, it leads to feelings of disappointment and frustration. In contrast, gratitude makes us happy and satisfied with our lives.”
A study conducted by Dr. Robert A. Emmons of the University of California, Davis, affirms this. His research revealed that encouraging gratitude can increase happiness levels by approximately 25 percent, and may also cause persons to live “happier, more satisfied lives and enjoy increased levels of self-esteem, hope, empathy, and optimism.”
Instilling gratitude in one’s child begins with a decision, followed by concrete, consistent “lessons” which should be incorporated in your family’s daily activities.
(To read the rest of this post, please go to my article on Smart Parenting Philippines' website here.)
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Please feel free to leave your comments or email me at kristina.s.rodriguez@gmail.com :) God bless us all as we strive to be TRULY RICH in His eyes! :)