Gratitude

As the holidays fast approach I find myself thinking of family. What tradition is our family going to incorporate into the upcoming years? I look at some of the children in my class who are so spoiled and ungrateful for what they have and I think to myself. How am I going to teach Faith that concept? My head teacher, Sylvia, tried explaining that children have no concept of the world until age 6 or 7. Until they have a concept of the world, they can't be grateful. As we approach Thanksgiving, it is a holiday just for being grateful for all the blessings we have. So I think that Faith and I will take another trip to the library to find Thanksgiving books and talk about all the things that we are thankful for. Then we will get out our photo books and talk about the love we have for all our family. I just can't justify what Sylvia says. I will stick to my guns and believe that your child is only capable of learning what you teach her. They don't say thank you because they know that is what you expect. Maybe when they are Faith's age; however by three I think that they should know what it is to be thankful if someone has taught them. I remember Christmas last year. It broke my heart to hear two of my nieces arguing over who had more presents. Not a thank you to their mother was said and the toys were thrown on the floor for Faith to climb over. They had come to expect presents and not be thankful for the amount they were given. So let's all remember our thanks this time of year and every time of year. Remember our families, near and far. We love you all.