MindWare Blog – Brainy Toys for Kids of All Ages

Every generation seems to remark about the next: “Kids these days don’t know how good they have it.”  With today’s ubiquitous cell phones, iPods , Wii’s and X-box game systems, it may seem like kids today do have it all—and don’t really appreciate it.  How can we foster in our kids an attitude of gratitude?

• Be a role model. Kids notice how the adults around them are acting.  Do you thank the stranger who holds the door open for you?  How about the cashier at the grocery store?  Make sure that you thank those around you and talk about your own gratitude.  Before dinner or at bedtime, take turns talking about what you’re thankful for, or have each person discuss their day’s low and high points.
• Volunteer as a family. Growing up, my family would help pack and deliver meals to people in need around Christmas.  That experience opened my eyes—wide—to the ways in which other families were struggling.  It made me thankful for our home, food, and my toys.  There are so many volunteer activities out there.  Pack meals for Haiti, volunteer at a food shelf, serve meals at a homeless shelter, spend time at an elderly care facility—choose a volunteer activity that would be meaningful and fun for your family.
  
• Be a good neighbor. If a neighbor or friend is going through a tough time, make a meal with your kids and deliver it with a smile.  Shovel someone’s sidewalk or driveway.  Offer to watch your neighbor’s kids so they can have a date night.
• Thank your kids. Tell your kids “thank you” when they help out around the house or do something unexpected.  Make sure that you verbalize your appreciation for them.
• Thank others. Help your kids write thank you notes to grandparents, teachers, friends, coaches or other people who have a positive impact on their lives.
• Learn. I remember reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder books when I was young and realizing how lucky I was to have things like running water, fresh fruit in the winter and central heating.  Kids can learn about history and gain some perspective after learning about the hardships of the past. They might enjoy hearing stories from their grandparents and reading books that take place “in the olden days.”
• Provide a world perspective. Older kids might be ready to learn about world hunger, poverty, the lack of clean drinking water around the world and other important human rights issues.
  

Researchers have found that grateful people are more optimistic and satisfied with life and are less prone to feeling depressed and stressed. That fact reinforces to me that it’s incredibly important to raise grateful kids.  I think I’ll start with mine.