How to Raise Kind, Grateful, and Not Entitled Kids

W e want our kids to appreciate all we do for them. We want them to grow up feeling grateful for all the opportunities they have been given. Like getting a great education and living in a nice house. We not only meet their basic needs, we exceed their expectations on the daily.

You are a parent that over-delivers in pretty much every way when it comes to your kiddos. You prioritize your role as mom or dad above all else in your life. Your end game involves raising good people. You want your kids to be kind, confident, self-motivated and well…not jerky.

So when our kiddos talk back, have messy rooms, and expect us to buy them stuff just because…

We feel frustrated and maybe even angry. We lecture about not being spoiled and having a hard work ethic. We worry that their current behavior is evidence that they are not going to turn out the way we hope.

The problem is that lectures are ineffective teaching lessons in the game of life.

Kids learn by what they SEE rather than from the words they hear.

So, what’s the solution? How do we instill the characterdefining lessons we deeply want our kids to live by?

The answer is simple: Stop talking about it.

JUST. DO. IT. Live by the values you aim to teach.

Show your kids how grateful you are for them and this beautiful life. Tell them each and every day how THEY are your gift. Work hard and model a strong work ethic each and every day. Want your kiddos to honor and respect you? Treat your kids with honor and respect by respecting the way kids effectively learn.

Kids learn by how WE behave rather than by telling them how they SHOULD behave. Anytime you witness your kids working hard on a project or showing up as a kind friend, child, or sibling, tell them that they are a person of good character. Be a mirror for all of your child’s accomplishments and remind her to feel proud and celebrate herself.

The way to teach our kids gratitude and to ward off entitlement is not through words and lectures. It’s by modeling the behavior you want from them.

Be an example rather than sharing your opinions. That’s the simple solution. Tell your kids that you hit the jackpot because THEY were born.

I am incredibly grateful for each and every parent in this trailblazing tribe learning how to improve the conversations in your home and parenting with empathy rather than lecturing. Together we are changing the world. One. Family. At. A. Time.

by Randi Rubenstein Adapted from randirubenstein.com