“Example is the school of mankind, and they will learn at no other.” Edmund Burke

When we are teaching our children gratitude, it is important, that we are their role models. When they will see us do something, they will learn it better. It will no longer be just the theory that we preach but something that we actually do. And by the time they grow up, they would eventually do the same.

Include children in your activities, explaining them what you do to express gratitude.

Here are some activities that you can do together with your child (some on daily basis and some occasionally). 

1. Write and send thank you notes. Find people you are grateful for and write them a thank you note. Maybe go through your adress book and select people you no longer work with or you were friends long ago.
2. Give some money or food to the homeless. When you meet homeless give him some change or buy him food in the grocery store. Don’t wait to be asked for. Explain to your child, how grateful you are for your home.
3. Donate to charity. Together with your child find a local charity, where you can give money or even better – something material (like blankets for animals, clothes or toys for orphanage, food for shelter..) 
4. Volunteer to help. It can be fund raising, charity event or just reading to the elderly at the nursing home. Give your time for a good cause.
5. Smile and thank someone along the way. Smile to a stranger, appreciate and thank for small acts of kindness done to you.
6. Point out few things that you have. Be grateful for all the things that you have, including home, food, water, friends, family and job. Point out few of them occasionally.
7. Acknowledge people around you. Be grateful for family and friends, for coworkers and neighbors and their great work that they are doing. Find something good to tell to someone about those people.
8. Recall your day and thank for opportunities. Discuss your day with your child and point out great moments and opportunities that you had.
9. Find the gifts in difficult circumstances. Don’t go around like you are the victim of your circumstances. Remember you can always get something good in every situation. Look for those signs and thank for the chance to learn something.

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