‘Tis The Season… To Be A Good Example: Raising Thankful & Giving Children

What are you thankful for? How would your kids answer that question?

FOX’s Lisa Brady reports:

To raise children, who are thankful… And giving: Mother of three, and licensed professional clinical counselor Rhonda Martin, says use concrete examples. How many hours will it take, to pay for something they want…

(Martin) “They don’t realize that actually costs in terms of mom and dad’s… or grandma’s working time.”

Another key lesson, empathy. Ask your child to tell you what they think everyone else’s day was like. Compliment them on character traits like hard work, a good attitude, or self sacrifice.

(Martin) “We have to praise those very traits in them that we want them to learn to recognize in others.”

She also says hard-working kids are thankful kids. Let them pack their backpacks and clean up after themselves. And remember, they notice how you treat people.

(Martin) “What did I say to the plummer when it was inconvenient when he showed up today to fix something at my house? They’re watching how we give of ourselves to every person that we encounter.”

So what can be a season of short fuses, is a great time to be a good example.

With FOX on Family, I’m Lisa Brady.