Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch: KEY POINTS from our Book Study

Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen WelchKEY POINTS from our Book StudyThere is medical and scientific proof that an attitude of gratitude makes us healthier!Parents, you pass along your grateful attitude (or lack thereof) to your children.“Parents who want less-entitled kids have to be less entitled themselves, and parents who want to rear more grateful kids need to start living more grateful lives.” Page 11Personally, I feel FB perpetuates discontentment. It’s the comparison trap; know thyself.Gratitude Jar – write on slips of paper, date, name, and what your child is thankful for; place in jar.Teach children early to show gratitude by coloring or drawing pictures to send as thank you notes; another idea - outline your child’s handprint and have child sign name beside handprint. Parent writes date and short note in child’s own words to accompany.Biblical worldview is based on Scripture and biblical principles. If we allow our culture to teach our children, they will have a secular worldview.Know what is being taught in the public school if this is your family’s decision. Be prepared to un-teach a secular worldview and the potential influence of un-likeminded peers.Pray for one good Christian friend for each child.Best way to teach preschoolers biblical truths is through repetition and example. The Big Book of Bible Truths by Sinclair Ferguson for elementary children was mentioned.Why do we make decisions that we know we shouldn’t?We want to be our child’s friend. Please be your child’s parent now; friends as adults, later.Fearful of the fallout of saying “no!” Ignore the temper tantrums.Acquiesce to the busyness of life and going against our better judgement. (Ease of decision)Fearful that our children will feel left out. Living counter-culturally is difficult for the entire tribe.Is your home child-centered or a parent driven/Jesus-centered home?Teach your child to be others-centered by serving others in need – shelters, projects through your church, family mission trips, and small things like baking cookies for a shut-in neighbor.Characteristics of a Christ-centered home: joy (not happiness), order, routine, clear expectations, grace to fail and struggle as parents support and encourage, spiritual disciplines; parents who model their faith and trust in the Lord while discussing such; parents who are confident of their identity in Christ, and who desire to please the Lord, but who fall short and know their need for grace. Consequently, can point their children to their own need for a Savior.Practical Ways to Pass on an Attitude of Gratitude:Teach the value of money – difference between need and want, budgeting, giving, saving.Assign household chores – start early – 2-3 year olds can manage a few things.Allow children to learn from failure. Get your worth and value from Jesus, not your child.Teach delayed gratification and the value of persevering and working hard toward a goal!Eat rice/beans one night a week, weekly, to remind us of how others live meagerly.Instill the faithfulness of God and gratitude for family by example. Seek the wisdom of wise grandparents.Pray for growth in your love relationship with Jesus; get closer to His heart; read the Word, and you’ll know how to become the parent you desire to be…the Holy Spirit will teach you!***Parents, begin discussing the use of technology, cell phones, etc. early – an excellent resource is in the back of the book - “cell phone contract between parent and child”. Also, a short you tube segment, “Growing Up Social” by Arlene Pellicane is good. She and Gary Chapman wrote Growing Up Social.