This week, the conversation dives into the transformative power of gratitude beyond mere words. The host shares personal stories about gratitude learned from family and the impactful work of a dedicated speech pathologist. Discover how modeling gratitude as an action—through kindness and community engagement—can reshape our approach to parenting. Practical tips are offered to help instill this essential value in children, especially in today’s culture of entitlement, making gratitude a way of life.
Gratitude should be viewed as an actionable mindset that fosters appreciation and combats entitlement in children.
Incorporating community service and shared experiences can effectively model gratitude, encouraging children to internalize the value of appreciation.
Deep dives
The Importance of Shifting from Entitlement to Gratitude
Entitlement is often seen as the opposite of gratitude, and addressing this mindset in children can significantly impact their outlook on life. The discussion emphasizes that many young people today may exhibit feelings of entitlement, which detracts from their ability to appreciate what they have. A personal story about a mother, who was a speech pathologist, illustrates this concept, showing how her efforts to provide for underprivileged children inspired gratitude in her own family. By reflecting on these experiences, one can recognize the importance of fostering a sense of appreciation over feeling entitled to more.
Looking Outward: The Contribution Journal Concept
It is vital to focus on outward expressions of gratitude rather than solely inward reflections. A notable approach is the idea of maintaining a contribution journal instead of a traditional gratitude journal, which emphasizes contributing to others rather than just noting personal blessings. Research shows that individuals who focus on their contributions report higher levels of productivity and overall well-being compared to those who just catalog what they are grateful for. This shift encourages a broader perspective that can help combat feelings of entitlement among children, as they witness and participate in acts of kindness.
Gratitude as an Action: Modeling and Teaching through Example
Teaching gratitude involves demonstrating it through actions rather than just feelings, as children learn by mimicking the behaviors of adults in their lives. Simple acts, such as saying 'thank you' or recognizing the contributions of others, help ingratiate gratitude into daily routines. Sharing stories and experiences that highlight the importance of appreciation can also promote this value more effectively. Engaging in community service together or being kind to others serves as powerful examples, inspiring children to internalize appreciation and fostering a culture of gratitude in their environments.
This week, as we gather around the Thanksgiving table, I’m flipping the script on gratitude. It’s not just about saying “thank you”—it’s about living it. In this solo episode, I reflect on the power of gratitude, sharing heartfelt lessons from my mom’s generosity and practical wisdom from organizational psychologist Adam Grant. I share how we can rethink gratitude by shifting our lens outward and focusing on gratitude as an action instead of a feeling. Plus, I’ll give you actionable ways to model and teach gratitude, especially to the kids in your life.
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