Guiding Children From Grouchy to Grateful

In this article about teaching kids gratitude:

1. What to do when kids complain.
2. Opportunities for teaching gratitude
3. Resources for teaching kids gratitude
4. Additional articles about kids and gratefulness
5. Product recommendations

The following article, Guiding Children from Grouchy to Grateful, is written by Mrs. Mark Schultz.

“I don’t want to wear that!”
“I don’t have anything to play with!”
“I’m tired of riding in the car!”

These can be grievously familiar words to any Mom because Mothers wage the war on
keeping their children from becoming spoiled brats. Each meal, bath time, training time, or
instructions lands us on the front lines. “Why aren’t my children grateful?” our soul groans
within us each time we hear a complaint. It’s time to take our children from grouchy to grateful!

When children begin to complain they need to be redirected.

When I hear complaining I ask the offender to give me 3 things they are thankful for. Each time I do this I not only keep them from wanting to complain next time, but also show them how blessed they are. This can also be a great way to direct dinner conversation at the table towards God-honoring speech.

Another opportunity for teaching thankfulness is when you’re riding in the car. This is a great time to take turns naming things you’re thankful for. Make a game of it seeing how many times you can go around the car saying things each person is thankful for. This exercise causes you to see everything for what it really is—a gift from God. Too often we take all of life for granted.

A wise person once asked,

“What if you woke up this morning with only what you
thanked God for yesterday?”

Thought provoking! It’s time to notice the seemingly little things.
Consider the beautiful lilies. Enjoy the sparrow. And be sure to thank the One Who made them.

My mother instilled thankfulness into me, and I want my family to understand the importance of being thankful. Thankfulness is important to God. One of the sins God warns us about is being unthankful. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was
darkened.” (Romans 1:21)

Also consider how God responded to the complaining of His people in the desert. “And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and His anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and comsumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.” (Numbers 11:1)

{Want to help your children go deeper into the topic of being grateful and content? My friend Kim at Not Consumed has a Biblical study designed just for kids called A Content Heart. You can get a copy of the study right here.}

What are you going to change to help bring an attitude of thankfulness into your home?

You may also like:

5 Ways to Cultivate A Heart of Contentment in Your Children

How to teach kids to be grateful for gifts

Are you having your own struggle with gratitude? You'll enjoy our study called A Heart of Gratitude: 60 Days of Praise and Prayer. Click here to get your copy.

Free Printable Banner for Easter

I've designed a free printable banner for Easter.

I've never decorated for Easter before, but I've been thinking lately that I'd like to put more effort into celebrating Easter.  If I can do so much to celebrate Christmas and Christ's coming, I should be all the more excited to celebrate the culmination of what he came to do!  He didn't just die for our sins; He rose from the dead proving that He has the power to give eternal life to those who trust in Him.

That's worth celebrating!

 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  I Corinthians 15: 19-22

To make the banner:

1. Print 9 copies of the blank template onto pastel colored card stock.

2. Print the “He Is Risen” letters onto white card stock.

3. Cut out all pieces.

4. Attach the cards with the letters onto the colored pieces with Glue Dots.  Try not to use the same pastel color two times in a row.

5. Tape twine to the back of each card, making sure to space out the letters evenly.

6. Hang and enjoy!

Download your banner below.

Creating a Homeschool Schedule that Works

How to Create a Homeschool Schedule that Works for You is a Guest Post by Leah at As We Walk Along the Road.  I appreciate her advice that comes from years of experience.

10 Reasons Why You (Yes, YOU!) Are the Best Mother In the World

Do you end your days thinking no one could possibly be a worse mother than you? It’s easy to get discouraged and look at all your failures. But I’m here to tell you to put your chin up because you are the best mother in the world!

“To the Best Mom in the World”

That’s who the hand-drawn mother’s day card is addressed to. And you know what? It’s true! Your child means every word of it!

This is why you are the best mom in the world:

1. No one else’s hug feels as good as yours.

 2. Lots of people can cut up a sandwich, but nobody can do it quite like you do.

3. Your child is the smartest, most adorable person in the world, but you’re the only person who tells them.

4. You have the world’s best eye for beauty. Scribbled artwork and dandelion bouquets occupy a prominent place in your home.

5. Boo-boo’s will never feel better without your special kiss.

6. No one can nurse your sick child back to health as tenderly as you can.

7. Your good night kisses are the only ones that will help your child go to sleep.

.

8. No one else can sing your child’s favorite song as beautifully as you can.

9. No one’s face could ever light up the way yours does when you see your child’s smile.

10. No one could ever love your children as much as you do.

You’re the best mom in the world.

Find more mom-to-mom encouragement on Facebook:

Dealing with Sibling Rivalry in the Christian Home

Dealing with sibling rivalry doesn't have to be stressful.  Biblical principles should always guide our parenting, and that includes how we teach our children to treat their siblings.

“But I wanted the blue cup!”

“I had this toy first!”

“Stop doing that!”

These are phrases every parent with multiple children hears.

How do you teach your children to just stop it already?

I'm not going to pretend to be a perfect parent or to know all the answers, but when you're dealing with situations from a Biblical perspective, I can tell you you're not going to go wrong.

Dealing with our children's hearts is so much more important than simply changing their behavior.

Breaking up sibling bickering is no different.

Instead of asking “Who had the toy first?” the question should address the heart issue – “Are you thinking of others or yourself?”

If you find yourself constantly breaking up arguments between your children, here is what I recommend:

First, sit your children down and teach them from Scripture what God says about our relationships with others.

For example, he teaches us to be kind and to forgive when someone has wronged us (Ephesians 4:32); to put others before ourselves (Philippians 2:4), to be nice even if the other person is being mean to us (Matthew 5:44), and to do everything in our power to be at peace with others (Romans 12:18).

You'll want to give practical examples of what these things mean and help your child understand how he can apply them in his own life.  For example:

“If your brother yells at you, according to the Bible, is yelling back at him the right thing to do?”

“What are some ways you could put your sister first?”

Parenting should be proactive rather than reactive. 

We need to foresee the things our children will face and teach them ahead of time what the Bible says.  Then when the situation arises, we can simply remind our children of what they've already learned.

When an argument arises between your children, which is easier?  To say, “How can you put others first in this situation?”  Or to try to do an impromptu Bible lesson right there while the only thing your children want to hear about is who you're going to let have the blue cup?

If you need a little more guidance in teaching your children about the subject of sibling rivalry or you want something that will reinforce the concepts you're teaching them, I recommend this study for kids called My Brother's Keeper: Learning to Love Your Siblings God's Way

When I saw that Kim had come out with this new study, I asked her if I could have a copy to review so I could use it with my own kids and tell you all about it.

I love how attractive the graphics are!  Appealing artwork always makes learning more fun!  But beyond that, it is very in-depth and completely based on scripture.  Over the course of 4 weeks we'll be studying 10 different sets of siblings as we learn about God's design for families.

 After you have proactively taught your children what God's Word says about how they should treat others, including their siblings, you will need lots of positive reinforcement once those situations arise.

Instead of deciding who gets the biggest piece of cake, help your children decide it themselves.  Ask, “How can you each think of others in this situation?”

You may be surprised that after a while they will start to offer first choice to their sibling without even being reminded because they are learning what God wants for their life.  They are learning that they are happy when they choose to put others first.

Will they ever be selfish?  Yes, they still have a sin nature just like the rest of us.

But you will find that addressing the heart of the matter will help them make their own choice to be kind to their siblings instead of your constantly having to make them do it.

How are you going to be proactive in your parenting?  What do you need to intentionally teach your child?

Video: Teaching a Toddler to Count (A Little Peek Into Our Day)

Today I'm giving you a little peek into our homeschool day as I work with my toddler on counting to 20.

I have moved all of my homeschooling posts to christianhomeschoolfamily.com. You can go here to read this post at the new site.