How to Teach Your Children About Giving Thanks this Advent Season

Giving thanks in our daily lives is not only important for our faith and spiritual growth, but studies have shown time and time again that grateful thinking leads to happier, healthier living. This is a particularly important trait to pass on to our children, as it leads to higher levels of optimism and satisfaction, increased generosity and kindness towards others, less focus on material goods, and more positivity towards school and family. What better time than the Advent season to begin modeling and talking to your child about adding more gratitude into their daily lives? With the gift of Jesus at the forefront of the season, it’s the perfect time to start focusing on giving more thanks. Here are a few ways you can teach your student how.Point Out Positivity EverydayTake a moment each day – whether it’s on the way to or from school, at mealtime, or a different moment that feels right to you – to ask your child what he’s grateful for. If he can’t give you a specific answer, give examples of what you’re grateful for, and then start a family journal where you both can make entries expressing your gratitude. Seeing your written examples will help spark your child’s imagination, and encouraging him to spend time thinking about what he’s thankful for each day will help him recognize his daily blessings.Model BehaviorMake it a point to offer more thanks in your own life. It’s okay to be lavish – thank your child for showing affection; thank your cashiers, valets, and waiters; thank your bus driver or crossing guard. Demonstrate your gratitude and your child will, too.VolunteerThere is no greater lesson in humility and gratitude than to serve those less fortunate than yourself. Make a family trip out of it and serve at a soup kitchen, donate to a child in need, or pay a trip to a nursing home. Offer to help an elderly neighbor decorate for the holiday, or adopt a family for Christmas. Assign ChoresChores are not only valuable for learning how to do basic household cleaning and maintenance, but they also teach your children about contributing to the whole of the home. She will better understand that they are a part of something greater than themselves and that their contributions are an important obligation to the whole of the household. They’ll also begin to understand the value of hard work and effort, learning that these chores are not always fun or easy, and that they often benefit from the work that you put in for them. Growing in gratitude and maintaining a thankful and positive outlook is not always easy. Some days are harder than others, but with the Advent season upon us, now is the perfect time to start incorporating a little more gratitude into your life, and modeling that for your child. Your student’s ability to exercise gratitude will grow into a great tool for facing adversity, and she will forever have this important life skill. The Orlando Catholic school's blog page has helpful hints for parents to encourage their children to excel academically, spiritually, and socially. To learn more about Catholic high schools in Orlando, contact us at 407-246-4800.