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Wednesday, April 11, 2012

G is for Grateful and Gracious

I feel like I am constantly reminding my children about being grateful for what they have and  gracious to those who are around them. They have so much to be thankful for and are both always open to helping other people who need help or who have less than they do, but it doesn't seem to stop the gimmies
I am curious to know what other parents do to manage this.
I don't give in to the behaviour, and they are not used to getting everything they want, the minute they want it.  They know about working for things and waiting for birthdays and whatnot.  Typically I am not trampled by temper tantrums, but rather it is the act of constantly having to repeat myself and wondering if they will ever get it...  And when I whine about it to my parents, they just say, "All kids are the same.  You were like that too once upon a time..." Gotta wonder what exactly they mean by that?

13 comments:

  1. Hi, I'm a new follower from the AtoZ Challenge. Nice to meet you!

    I have three teenagers, and the two boys are pretty good about not doing the "gimmee" thing, but my daughter always wants something. *sigh*

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  2. i agree that most kids are the same not wanting to be courteous, but i think society has slacked off on its priority. as a high school teacher, it seems most parents (including me) arent as hard on the kids to be respectful as they were in my parents' day with yes, ma'am and no, sir, but they get better with maturity... similarly with clothes, every generation lets a little more slide...

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  3. You know what they mean by that...I like the saying grandchildren are the prize you get for not drowning your teenager way back when. Hubby Dearest and I have called all of our parents at one point or other to thank them and apologize to us. Darling Daughter will do the same when she has teens.

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  4. They will get it. Don't stress. We learn by repetition, no matter how tedious it is. :) I look back on my days as a young mom and I regret getting so uptight and frustrated and taking things so seriously. Of course, I was NEVER a young mom since I had my only child at 35. :) Enjoy being a mom 'cause they grow up way too fast!

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  5. P.S. I think the most important thing to remember is that actions speak louder than words.

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  6. yes gratitude seems scarce these days, doesn't it---i too hate hate to repeat myself

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  7. I think children are led by example. If they see you being grateful and thinking of others, they will follow.

    Teresa

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  8. Hi...I'm hopping over from the A to Z challenge...lovely blog...good luck with the challenge!

    Donna L Martin
    www.donasdays.blogspot.com

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  9. I think it really is normal to have to repeat yourself 10,000 times. They're kids. Sponges they might be, but learning to exhibit grace even when they don't necessarily feel like it is not easy. They'll get it.

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  10. Give yourself a pat on the back for being so persistant in teaching them this important lesson!

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  11. I don't know how to help kids feel more grateful. Maybe just by showing how grateful you are to have what you have? Maybe have them write down what they are grateful for and post it where they can see it. I'm sure mostly if they can see you being grateful, they will be too.

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  12. Thanks for an interesting post! I think it can sometimes be hard for adults to remember to be grateful, so I think it sounds like you're doing a great job :)

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  13. Hello, Kim! I don't have children, but it sounds like you're doing a great job! They'll grow up and grow out of the gimmies. This reminds me of the book The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies!

    Have a lovely week and happy A to Z!!

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