How To Raise A Child That Is Thankful, Not Spoiled | EWmums.com
 

How To Raise A Child That Is Thankful, Not Spoiled

Discipline is key.

Posted on

20 July 2017

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How To Raise A Child That Is Not Spoiled

One of the greatest conundrums every parent goes through is whether they should give their children everything that they can or deprive them to toughen them up.

And while the latter may seem like the obvious choice, it is often difficult for parents to not cater to the whims of their children in the moment. Of course, all toddlers cry, throw tantrums and do everything else they can do to get their way, but what's important is how parents react. Spoiling occurs when kids are predominantly in charge in the family. The parents have minimal authority, and kids continually get their own way by acting up.

Here are four things you can do to make sure that your child is thankful, not spoiled.

Make them work for their allowance.

The sooner you teach your children that there are no free lunches in the world, the better. An excellent way to teach your kids value for money is to make them do household chores for their allowance instead of simply handing it out to them.

Simple household chores like dusting, vacuuming, taking the trash out, washing dishes, folding clothes etc. are all things they can do to earn their allowance.

Expose them to those less fortunate.

A great way to teach gratitude to your children is to expose them to those less fortunate to them and make them aware of the blessings they have. And this does not necessarily mean that you take your child on a slum tour.

Helping out at soup kitchens, literacy programs, food drives, volunteering at an animal shelter are all ways that your child can learn to be charitable and grateful.

Teach them to be grateful for the right things.

Usually, when parents ask their children to count their blessings, it isn't uncommon for them to be thankful for their toys and other material possessions. And while there's nothing gravely wrong with that, their gratitude for material possessions should not supersede gratitude for the love and support of the people in their lives.

Instead of asking your children what they are thankful for, ask them who they are thankful for. Make a weekly ritual out of practicing gratitude and thankfullness.

Ignore, ignore, ignore.

This is probably the toughest yet the most important thing to do to make sure your child is not spoiled. DO-NOT-CAVE-IN. We repeat, do not cave into their tantrums. This is especially true for little kids. Let them cry it out, we promise...they will tire eventually.

However, if in the heat of the moment, you give in to their tantrums out of frustration, they will take that as a cue that as long as they throw a fit, they will get their way. And what you can expect next time is a bigger fit.