Earn It! by Michael G. Wetter & Eileen Bailey

Author:Michael G. Wetter & Eileen Bailey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hazelden Publishing

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Family Activity: Gratitude Jar

Place a jar somewhere that is easily accessible to everyone in the family. Put a small pad of paper and a pencil next to the jar. Have family members write down one thing they are grateful for each day and put the paper in the jar. Once a week, sit down together, maybe during a family dinner, and read aloud the slips of paper.

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To help your child learn gratefulness and show appreciation in a consumer-based world, you might try the following:

• Have your child do extra work around the house—beyond any regular chores—to earn what they want.

• If you give an allowance, have your child save part of it each time toward a purchase.

• When your child wants something, explain that they must wait until their birthday, the holidays, or a time when your family normally gives gifts.

When your child is involved in the “getting” part of the process, he will have a greater appreciation of the item. Delayed gratification, the anticipation of and working for something, all add to the value of an item. When you have more than you can use, you take things for granted; it becomes difficult to hold onto a feeling of gratitude. But when you put forth an effort, when everything around you has meaning and is a source of pride, you gain a sense of appreciation.

Receiving Gifts Gracefully

Any parent would feel mortified if their child opened a present and said, “I already have this” or “this isn’t what I wanted!” We want our children to receive gifts graciously. We want them to feel, and show, appreciation for the giver—even if the present’s not an absolute hit. Accepting presents and compliments is a skill, and like other life skills, you can teach your child how to gracefully receive a gift.

It Is the Thought That Counts

When a child receives a gift, they tend to focus on the item itself. It’s easy to show appreciation and excitement when it’s exactly what they wanted. But we’ve all seen a child’s face fall after they rip the paper off a present only to find a sweater, a pair of pajamas, or an unwanted toy. It’s hard for them to hide their disappointment. Both the child and the gift-giver feel let down.

Keith wanted a toy robot for his sixth birthday. He told everyone he saw—his parents, his grandparents, his friends—about the robot; he watched the TV ad with rapt attention. At his birthday party, several presents were waiting for him. First his grandparents handed him a big box. Keith thought it could be the robot! But when he opened it and found a fire truck, he yelled, “I hate fire trucks!” He threw it aside and tore open the other gifts until he found the robot. His parents were embarrassed, and his grandparents looked hurt.

It’s not until we’re older that we realize the item itself is insignificant. What matters is the thought behind the gift, the sentiment that moved the person to give it.

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