Quotes that Teach Your Child Gratitude

Turn on the news and you will find an hour’s worth of heartbreaking stories. Watch almost any movie and you will be struck by the negativity. Look at social media and you’ll discover that the most shared stories are gossip or tragic news. Some days it is difficult to see the positive side of anything, and gratitude seems like a faraway idea. The Diocese of Orlando has compiled a list of quotes to share with your children attending a Catholic school in Orlando that may assist in building gratitude and positivity.“I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” - Helen KellerTeach your children to compare their lives with those less fortunate rather than those more fortunate.“The struggle ends when gratitude begins.” – Neale Donald WalschWhen your child feels the entire world pressing upon her shoulders, tell her to think of the positive aspects to her worries. For instance, if she has a limit of 10 friends she is able to invite to a party, tell her how wonderful it must be to have more than 10 friends. If she is unable to attend a performance because she is in a soccer tournament, have her recognize how great it is to be good at a sport, and that not many people have that privilege, proving that the silver lining is real for almost every instance.“Being grateful does not mean that everything is necessarily good. It just means that you can accept it as a gift.” - Roy T. Bennett.Look back on your life and find examples of times when things did not go as planned; maybe you missed a plane and were stranded at the airport, but then you met someone who became one of your best friends. Or possibly, you broke up with your boyfriend and dedicated more time to your studies and ended up graduating at the head of your class. When God closes one door, He does not leave you alone and defenseless; instead, He is turning attention to another door that needs to be opened to lead toward a more fulfilled life.“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” - Robert Brault.Spending your time waiting for something great to happen will surely make you overlook the small miracles that occur every day. Watch a butterfly break out of a cocoon. Bake cookies. Read a book from cover to cover. Spending the day cleaning the house does not sound like much fun, but taking a luxurious lunch break and sharing a homemade meal with your family and rewarding yourself with a movie and popcorn afterward helps you to remember the breaks, rather than the work.“When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted, or take them with gratitude.” - G. K. Chesterson.A child who eats a sandwich and complains that the mayonnaise is not the correct brand takes lunch for granted, he believes things will always be made exactly for him and his specifications. A child who is hungry will eat a sandwich regardless of the condiments, that child showing is gratitude for any form of nutrition. Teaching gratitude is not an easy task. Have your child think of the different people involved in making the clothes she wears, the food she eats, and the supplies she buys paired with the work they must complete so she can be happy and fulfilled.Gratitude is a trait the Catholic schools in Orlando teach our students through lessons as well as actions. Show your young children the meaning of gratitude by teaching them to say “thank you” with meaning and, when they give thanks, to honestly think about why they are giving thanks. The blog page for the Diocese of Orlando has plenty of ideas on giving your children the best educational advantage through our schools. Call 407-246-4903 for a tour of any of our schools and to register your child for the 2017-2018 school year.