Teaching your kids to be thankful

With the holidays approaching, I really want to start teaching my 3 year old how lucky he is and how there are others less fortunate that we should help. Anyone have any ideas on things to do that would be age appropriTe?

Re: Teaching your kids to be thankful

I always clean out my DD's toys and clothes around this time of year to make room for all of the new things she's be getting. We've always explained to her that some children aren't as fortunate to have all of the things that she has so she helps go through the toys and clothes and we go together to donate them. She always says she's happy that another child will get to use the things she doesn't need anymore because she's a "big girl" now.

We also choose a child at Xmas time to buy gifts for and help make their holiday special. This year we are part of the gift donation on LIF.

On a regular basis we remind her and talk about being thankful for the things she has............her house, toys, clothes, family, etc. We want her to always be appreciative of what she's given and to realize how fortunate she is to have all of the things she does. We don't want her taking things for granted and assuming she can have everything and anything she wants all the time. KWIM?

ETA - She's now 5 but we started talking about these things when she was around 3.

Message edited 11/8/2013 8:33:31 AM.

Teaching your kids to be thankful

I like "save, buy, donate". When they get monetary gifts they save a part, use a part to buy something they want and donate another part. The percentage is up to them but it teaches them to be responsible with money and to donate to those charities that are important.

I will also be doing get a toy, give a toy. If they want a new toy, the to donate one they no longer need or use to those less fortunate.

When they are older I would want them to volunteer. Maybe go with them to serves meals. Again, when they are older.

Message edited 11/8/2013 8:39:14 AM.

Teaching your kids to be thankful

DD is only 2, so she doesn't really get it yet, but you have to start somewhere. Every year I donate to a child in need. This year DD is old enough to help pick out stuff for the child. This year I am having DD pick 5 toys of hers to donate before the holidays. I'll do the same thing when her birthday rolls around.

Re: Teaching your kids to be thankful

We have a small jar and my son (only 2) tells me one thing he is thankful for (I phrase it as one things he loves) and we write it down on a leaf to put in the jar. We will also participate in the gift tree at church and the mitten tree at our library.

Next year I want to start what my friend does with her kids. On their birthday, thye have to do acts of kindness equal to their age. So for example, her 5 year old son
1) donated books to his classroom
2) gave plants to his teachers
3) sent Halloween candy to the soldiers
4) made cookies for workmen at their house
5) delivered toys and books to the childrens ER

He had to do these before his 5th birthday, they started the month before.

Re: Teaching your kids to be thankful

I've always left something off his 'want' list. This way he learns that he can't always just get everything. And I think one of the main components to being thankful is respecting what he does have.

I've tried so many things, donating, verbally expressing our thanks, etc. What I feel really worked - I stopped buying him so much! One time he said about a Toy Story figurine "this is not the one I wanted, I wanted the big one not the little one.." and was carrying on. So, in the donating bin it went and he never got it back. He wasn't thankful, so I gave it to someone who would be. I feel like that was the biggest lesson for him. That was when he was 3.5.

Also, I've learned that being thankful and appreciative myself is the best way to show him.