How do you get children to appreciate the holidays? Michael McGill has some ideas.
1) Gratefulness begins at home
Children may not be great listeners, but they never fail to imitate the adults around them. As caregivers, we have to be aware to model the behavior that we expect to see. Do children see you being grateful on a regular basis? Let children see you do activities that show your gratefulness and see you serve.
2) Research shows that youth are more likely to volunteer if they’re going with a group of friends. Service projects can be very powerful.
3) Consider family traditions where the entire family serves others. For example, during Christmas, have the kids donate one of their gifts to an organization, a peers, etc. And as a family, give of your time. Don’t underestimate the value of time in giving.
4) Critical conversations about world events
The more youth are exposed to and aware of social issues, the more inclined they are to find a way to serve the world. As parents: we are to guide the conversations, not relay our own biases. This helps young people be less aloof to the problems that others face and helps them find their passion on what they can do to give back.
5) Give continued praise to teens and celebrate growth
Many teens feel misunderstood and as though what they do is not good enough, so encourage them. Use positive language when suggesting that they volunteer. Moreover, when they do volunteer, praise them for being self-less and have conversations about their experiences, how they feel, etc.
