6 Ways To Teach Your Kids Not To Take Everything For Granted in an Entitled World

In this present day and age, some children tend to be entitled to almost everything, up to the point where they don’t have to work for a lot of things and they end up taking things for granted. Some other children are not born with so much privilege, having to work hard or strive to accomplish certain life goals. These sort of children have the tendency to be more appreciative of the little things in life.

To be clear, this is not to state that all children who are fortunate to be privileged take the little things for granted. In the same light, not all children who do not have the grace of entitlement know how to be appreciative. In the spirit of striking a balance and raising a better generation of leaders, here are a few ways to help your children to not take things for granted.

1. Thank your children

When you model gratitude, you’re teaching them the behavior. If they do something right or complete a task without being asked, thank them. They’re human, too. They like to be appreciated. When you appreciate them it teaches them to appreciate you and it spreads out to other facets of their lives.

2. Ask them to give back

This is not a very common practice in Nigeria, but it is a habit that parents should teach their children. It can be as simple as giving used clothes to the orphanage every 3 months, or as detailed as planning a large toy drive for a local hospital’s children ward. However, ask them what they have in mind or what ideas they would like to implement. Children are prone to follow through when they come up with ideas by themselves.

3. Nip Ungratefulness right there and then

If you are faced with a situation where your child shows ungratefulness or acts like they are entitled to a certain thing, stop it right there and then. Do not wait to give a punishment or straighten an issue out. Don’t give room for that behavior to grow.

4. Appreciate the little things with them

Has there been light for the whole day? Appreciate that with them. Is there enough fuel to run the generator? Let them know that some families go for months without electricity in the same city. Do they have clean water and 3 square meals? Let them know they are blessed because there are some children who steal just to get by.

5. Teach them about freedom

We hear and read of countries that are invaded by war or by a political disaster. Freedom is lost in those parts of the world, they are under strict curfews or living in fear of getting arrested just for walking around. Teach them how to appreciate the ease of movement they have, as it is a gift some children don’t have.

6. Be a role model

It is not okay to just say something and not practice it. Everything you teach your child, you must learn to practice it yourself to the fullest extent. Be their example. Even if they do not start or follow your steps immediately, they will remember your examples and start to act like you.