Optimal Relationships Daily - Dating, Marriage and Parenting 2790: Gratitude vs. Consumption: Helping Kids Be Grateful by Brittany Olson of No Sidebar on Making Children Thankful
Nov 7, 2025
This discussion explores practical ways to cultivate gratitude in children amid seasonal consumerism. It highlights the benefits of a no-screen month, showcasing improved behavior and awareness. Suggestions include avoiding shopping trips to limit impulse requests and using Operation Christmas Child to teach the value of giving. Simplifying holiday traditions, like limiting Santa's gifts, fosters genuine joy. Lastly, traveling to less privileged areas can broaden kids' perspectives and deepen their appreciation for what they have.
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Consumer Culture Amplifies Kids' Wants
- Excess holiday exposure amplifies children's innate lack of self-control.
- Olson argues flashy displays, sugar, and commercials push kids to want more, undermining gratitude.
Try A Screen-Free Month
- Try a full month without screens to reset kids' desires and behavior.
- Brittany Olson reports they become calmer, more helpful, and more grateful after Zero Screens.
Multiple Zero-Screen Experiments
- Olson reports multiple month-long Zero Screen experiments with her children.
- She references posts titled No Media March and No Media Update describing the experiences.