How can I teach my kids to be grateful for what they have?

Question

I want them to truley believe me when I tell them that they are lucky to have everything that they have and that alot of kids do not have the things they do.

Answer 1

Depending on how old they are. Have them choose a toy or tow of their own to take to a local shelter. Occasionally take them to buy toys or clothes for the needy kids, not only around the holidays but anytime. If they are older, volunteer your family to work in the shelters or soup kitchens once a month.

Answer 2

have them volunteer at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen or something, if they are old enough.  Volunteering at a center with homeless kids would be best-so they can see its not just adults-there are kids with nothing too.  It would help them to see all the people who don't have a bed at night and don't always have food on their plate.  At x-mas and birthdays, have them choose one new toy to give to the poor.  older kids, like teens might learn by fasting for a day or a single meal.  You could go as light as a bread and water fast, or as far as an only water fast.  Many churches and teen youth groups do optional 12 or 24 hour fasts and when you are put in the position of having no food or being limited to bread and water, you feel bad for those who have nothing on their plate some nights.  My family also makes sandwiches once a month for a local men's homeless shelter.  When I was younger, I would be like why do they only get sandwiches for dinner don't they want something better, and my mom would explain that for both lunch and dinner these men we were making the sandwiches for have only 2 sandwiches(each meal), but they are extremely happy to get them because they would go hungry without them.  As we started doing it more, my siblings and I would want to make cookies to go with the sandwiches, so they would have a little more than a sandwich, that made us really happy to help, knowing they were getting a little extra that night.  Through the sandwich making, we never actually saw the homeless men or shelter, but we really felt bad for these men and wanted to continue helping.

Answer 3

I have an 8 year old (almost 9).  Some of the things I do are talking to her about things she sees/hears (she has one classmate who had no electricity for 2 months, and another who lives with grandparents because the mother was unfit, and of course timely issues like Hurricane Katrina help her see that "stuff" is all bonus - not necessity) to help her see what she has that others may not; during the holidays we always buy gifts for local seniors & children in need, and donate food for food baskets; we donate unneeded household items to Goodwill and I've taught her how that works... we've talked about the homeless as we've crossed someone on an offramp asking for help...

I basically try to find conversational ways to show her what she has that others don't, and remind her of the difference between wants and needs when she needs reminding.

Answer 4

take them for a ride through the projects

Answer 5

Do some volunteer work at a local food bank, soup kitchen, or homeless shelter as a whole family.  Attend church regularly.

Answer 6

You could take a trip to your local homeless shelter and volunteer your family to serve a meal and then you can show your children how the less fortunate live. I did that with my 11 yr old a few years back and now 2 times a year we donate all his extra toys and clothes to the shelter. He is very appreciative of his life now. Best Wishes!

Answer 7

I found the best way my parents got that through to me was making me work for everything I had, rather than simply giving it to me.