Teaching Children To Express Gratitude

How are you teaching your kids to show gratitude? Training your children to say "please" and "thank you" is essential. This basic social skill is critical in showing respect for others.

It takes plenty of prompting and reminders when your kids are young. It is worth the effort. Developing the skill of showing appreciation will benefit your kids. Expressing gratitude is crucial in maintaining relationships.

Showing a Lack of Appreciation

It can be challenging for kids to consider other people’s feelings. Part of showing genuine appreciation involves being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. When children have not fully developed this skill, it can cause problems. 

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Inspiring Kindness in Your Family

 

Being kind is a choice. It’s a win-win choice. You feel good about yourself when you do something kind for someone. They also feel better because of your kindness.

How would you rate the level of kindness in your family? Sometimes being kind to those closest to you is challenging. It is even more challenging for most people to be kind to those who are unlike them. 

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Lessening Advertising’s Impact On Kids Spending Money

 
Are your kids begging you to buy things? If so, the marketers are being effective in teaching your children one of the best ways to get you to break down and buy it - beg! Advertisers teach kids to beg because they've proven begging works.

You also may be unintentionally fueling more begging by giving in to it. One mom realized she contributed to her daughter feeling entitled. She didn’t want to deprive her daughter so ended up buying her what she wanted. Soon her daughter was whining for things whenever they went shopping. Continually indulging her daughter resulted in her undesirable behavior.

Influencing Your Spending

Did you know that kids under age 12 influence the spending of 700 billion dollars per year? From the brand of macaroni and cheese to buy to where to go on vacation, children have a big say. No wonder businesses are focused on turning children into voracious consumers. 

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Using Curiosity Questions To Solve Problems

Your kids are encountering and solving problems all day long. When they are babies, they let you know they have a problem by crying. You then try to solve their discomfort by doing things like feeding them, changing their diaper, or rocking them.

The older they become the more they can solve their own problems. If you continue to solve their problems for them, they do not learn how to think through their problems on their own. They learn to rely on you instead of themselves.

How can you provide guidance without jumping in with solutions? Asking the right questions can help your children think through problems. The trick is asking helpful questions that do not feel like an interrogation!  

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Feeling Peace of Mind Versus Anxiety

 

How often are your kids in a calm, peaceful state? Kids do their best when they are feeling safe and calm. Being in a calm emotional state is essential for optimal learning.

Football quarterbacks also perform their best when they are calm and focused. They can take in the big picture, avoid getting sacked and complete amazing passes. You can see it in their eyes when they are calm versus frazzled. Once they are frazzled, they make lots of mistakes. Just like quarterbacks, your kids are at their best when they are calm. 

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Rushing and Stressing

Do you get stressed trying to get your kids going somewhere on time? Do you find yourself yelling at them to get going? If so, you'll be able to relate to this clip from Modern Family! Watch to find out what other options you have rather than yelling louder.  

 

Apologizing Takes Courage

How do you apologize to your kids when you've made a mistake? As a parent you will certainly make mistakes. Your kids will learn to apologize by watching how you apologize.