There are many things that are a result of something else. Health is a result of eating healthy and exercise. A clean house is a result of good cleaning habits. Having good relationships is a result of working hard on them. Gratitude is no exception. I think gratitude is, at least partly, a result of serving others. When we help others, we realize that we have the ability to do so because of some degree of privilege. If we further realize that there are elements in our own circumstance that we did not orchestrate that have made it possible for us to help, we develop a sense of gratitude.
Giving our kids the opportunity to give, provides the same opportunity for them to develop gratitude. Here are 3 ideas for kids to experience giving.
- Donations. This time of year, there are hundreds of opportunities to give to an organization that helps others. Whether it is helping those who are hungry, those who don’t have toys, those who are in prison, those who are sick, or animals in shelters, you can Google and find a donation opportunity in anything your child would like to give to. I like the ones where the child gets to go to the store and shop from a list that has been given. You can usually go to the website of the organization and read more details of who they give to and why. This helps develop empathy in our children and helps them see that there are kids just like them who struggle to have what they have, which will help them develop gratitude.
- Giving to family members. We have six kids. For Christmas, it was a little stressful for them to give a present to all their siblings, since they didn’t want to leave anyone out. They decided to do a grab bag! Every year on Thanksgiving, sometimes sooner, they pull out names to see who they will get a present for. My daughter-in-law is also in that grab bag, which is a great set up for any other spouses as they come along. The amount of thought that is put into the present they get their sibling is truly a joy to see. I love to see the thoughtfulness put into the gift giving. Gratitude is nourished on the part of the giver as well as the receiver.
- Volunteering. Again, this time of year is a great time to find volunteer opportunities. But there are organizations that need help year round. Food pantries, consignment stores, animal shelters, zoo’s, organizations that help with disabilities, hospitals, churches, etc. There is something special about volunteering your time, which is our most precious commodity. When people ask me if I plan to retire, my answer is always, as long as I have the ability to move and work, I hope to always help people. There is just so much need in the world. Volunteering with your child can be a special time between the two of you and again, an opportunity to develop gratitude.
Gratitude is a crucial state of mind that has been proven to be helpful in overcoming some forms of depression, anxiety, stress and a variety of other ailments we go through as humans. Giving fills our hearts with gratitude. Teaching our kids to give is a crucial part of their development that will help them exponentially as they move to becoming adults.