An Attitude of Gratitude

 

 

 

The children in the Robins’ class took time to draw pictures and dictate their words of gratitude.  Some of them were thankful for the simple pleasures in lives such as: 

Devin:  “I’m thankful for going to the park.”

Olivia: “I am thankful for when I was walking, I found a flower and I picked it.”

Levi: “I’m thankful for a gorilla, monster trucks, bats and bat hunting.”  He also added, “I’m thankful for my name.”

Kahleel: “I’m thankful for pizza!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Others reflected upon the important people in their lives.   

Jade:  “I am thankful for my brother, my daddy and my mommy and my sister.”

Madeline:  “I am thankful when I go over to Mot-Mot and Grandpy’s and me and Garrett have a sleep over.”

Lauren:  “I am thankful for my sister and me and my Dad and Mom and my cat named Gus.”

An Attitude of Gratitude

According to Mark Gilroy in his book, The Simple Blessings of Christmas:

There is a simple attitude that determines in our own minds whether we are rich or poor, blessed or cursed, and fundamentally positive or negative about life.  To make that enormous of a difference, that attitude must be incredibly powerful.  And it is.  That attitude is gratitude.

He goes on to tell a story about one person who gets a job and is thrilled to be a part of the company and getting paid for it too.  Another person gets the same job with the same salary and benefit package and feels cheated.  One person has a great job, the other has a poor job.  Why?  The difference is an attitude of gratitude.  It is clear, an attitude of gratitude is a very, very important value to instill into our children. 

Here are a few tips to encourage an attitude of gratitude in our children:

• Reward children for special achievements and actions.  Do not reward children for expected good behavior and good grades.
• Reward children with your time and love.  Plan time to do a craft or cooking project, take a walk, etc.  Do not always reward children with material objects.
• Show your thankfulness everyday.  Pray together, say grace at mealtimes.  Give your children hugs and tell them often how much you love them.  Your display of gratitude will rub off on your children.
• Remember to say, “please” and “thank-you!”
• Serve others in ways your child can participate in, such as, making meals for sick friends and family, and doing yard work for elderly.