Is your child ungrateful? Five tips to inspire gratitude in your child

It’s Turkey time again in the US. Thanksgiving is fast approaching and your family is probably coming together to celebrate the holiday. Thanksgiving is all about feeling grateful for what you have in your life. But what if your child is not showing any of that gratitude? Instead of putting up with your misbehaved child throughout Thanksgiving, do something to inspire gratitude in your child.

Grateful children are happier children

Children heading into their pre-teen and teenage years tend to get increasingly more self absorbed as the years go on. Teaching your child about gratitude can be extremely beneficial to their overall well being. According to a 2012 report by the American Psychological Association, grateful children are more likely to be happy, less likely to have behavior problems, and less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol.                                          

Image source: Flickr user- eekim

Inspiring gratitude in your child

You might be asking, “How do I make my child more grateful?” The answer to your question lies in a few simple behavior changes. They include:

1. Keep a positive attitude: If your attitude towards your child is positive, they are more likely to respond in a positive way. Compliment your child, but not too much. For example, tell your daughter that you think she looks nice or that she
2. Be a role model: If your child does something that you’re thankful for, thank them! For example, if your daughter does something nice, such as taking out the trash without you asking, let her know how appreciative you are for her initiative.
3. Make it clear to her what rights and privileges are: If your daughter was raised not knowing the difference between what she is entitled to and what is merely a privilege, you need to make it clear to her that she is lucky to have the things she has. For example, it is a right for her to have clothing, but a privilege to buy clothes at her favorite stores. It is a right for her to get an education, but a privilege to go to a top-tier school and attend extracurriculars.
4. Get her involved in helping people: Take your whole family regularly to a soup kitchen or another volunteer-based organization to help the less fortunate. Your daughter will see what it means to not have the things she takes for granted.
5. Start a daily gratitude tradition: For example, before dinner every night, go around the table and ask what everyone liked about their day. This is a great exercise to inspire positivity and gratitude in your child.

Asheville Academy can help

If your daughter is struggling with behavioral and emotional  issues such as defiance, anxiety, or depression, Asheville Academy can help. Asheville Academy, a therapeutic boarding school for young girls ages 10-14, helps girls reach their fullest potential.

For more information about Asheville Academy, call today at 800-264-8709.