Should You Give Your Child Less In Order To Teach Them Gratitude?
Will giving your child things your parents struggled to give you—toys, electronics, and name brand clothes—inevitably spoil them?
Wall Street Journal found that children who are grateful get better grades in school and are less likely to be depressed.
So, how do parents ensure that their children learn to be grateful?
Wall Street Journal says that making children do chores and giving thanks for their meals, can help instill gratitude in children.
Jenn Choi told The Atlantic that she has her children partake in meal preparation so they know the effort that goes into making the meal.
“He formed and grilled the patties, sliced the tomatoes, and babysat his burgers, feeling scared occasionally from the heat on the grill,” said Choi.
“I don’t think I have ever seen my son eat a burger so fast in his life. He watched all of us eat ours, too. He was so grateful, he even washed the dishes.”
Since Choi runs a toy review website, her children began to expect that they would always get the newest Lego set.
“To pretend to not be able to afford certain things is not a good lesson either and hardly will teach them gratitude,” said Choi, according to The Atlantic.
Instead of shopping online, Choi brought her children to a store and showed them how to shop smart and be wise consumers.
“Since then, my kids have become more enthusiastic about building and take better care of the bricks they own,” said Choi.
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