Train up a child…

Teach Children to Appreciate Gifts

It is very disheartening to see a child throw a temper-tantrum because he/she didn’t like the gift received. Probably most people would agree that children should appreciate any gift received and accept it gracefully. As parents, grandparents, or teachers, hopefully we can help children learn how to receive a gift with gratitude and good manners.
In order to help a child appreciate a gift, we need to first understand the thinking of the child. The thinking does not excuse bad manners, but by understanding the “why”, we are more able to work with the situation. We need to teach the child to act appropriately when receiving a gift by defining correct and incorrect behavior. Children need to understand the reasons for gift-giving and practice giving as well as receiving.
Children often have the wrong ideas about receiving gifts. They may think that a gift is “owed” to them. Sometimes children already have so much that there is very little left to satisfy their expectations. Sometimes their expectations are simply too high to satisfy. Often, children do not understand the cost in time, money, and energy needed to provide a gift.
When we allow commercials on TV or other things in society influence our children too much, we are inviting an attitude of “you owe me”. Children pick up on an attitude of thinking that all parents are providing special things for their children,and their own parents are supposed to do the same. A child’s expectations are greatly influenced by their peers and society. In truth, adults are influenced greatly in this way, as well, and the attitude transfers to the children. Children may also have a false notion that all pleasure comes from the things received rather than the love behind the giving.
No matter the reasons for attitudes, children should be expected to always receive a gift graciously and be thankful to the giver of the gift. Sulking should never be allowed. Children should be required to say “thank you” and to write thank you notes. Parents may be hesitant to “spoil Christmas” by disciplining the child; nevertheless, it should be done. However, a little preparation prior to Christmas morning might prevent the problem. Talking to children ahead of time to alert them to the fact that they might not get what they want helps to prevent disappointment. The fact that they should always be thankful to the giver should also be explained ahead of time.
When children are incorporated into the family giving process, they are more aware of what is involved in gift-giving and are automatically more appreciative of the efforts of others. Many problems can be headed off before they arrive if we are alert to the thoughts and feelings of our children.