How do you teach your kids to appreciate what they have?

So today I took my 4 year old to see a play- Angelina Ballerina. Big treat in itself. Then I bought her Angelina ears- as a souvenier of this special day. But when she leaves, she starts talking about the costume she wants... She just got 4 costumes at Halloween and another one for Hanukah. I told her no more costumes- and she gets upset.

I think I tell her the right things- to be thankful for the things she has. That there are children who don't have the "things" that she does. She was taken aback by the scene in Alladin when the little kids don't have any shoes or food- so I try to relate back to that- how there are kids that don't have shoes or food or nice apartments- not to mention all the toys, costumes and experiences she has. But how do I get it to sink in?

Any ideas?

Re: How do you teach your kids to appreciate what they have?

I tell DS the same thing and every day he keeps adding to his Christmas and I just remind him that he can not be disappointed with what he gets because some kids do not get anything and he needs to be thankful for that. He promised me he would be happy and a few days later he told me I have to be happy with what ever I get

I think part of it is normal because of the age but we (at least for me) do not want our kids to turn into spoiled brats and appreciate what they have.


I think you are doing the right thing!

Re: How do you teach your kids to appreciate what they have?

I don't think a 4 year old can get it yet. They get being generous & sharing - choosing toys to donate is helpful. But I think it's too big of a concept at that age. They do learn charity in elementary school & religion classes.

J is about as selfish as you can get & isn't very gracious until he's confronted with it. At religion class, they did Operation Shoebox & had videos of the kids opening the boxes. he seemed to get the concept then.

Maybe reach out to your temple to see what kind of charity work they do.

Edited to add:
M. who I consider one of the most generous & grateful children ever had a full out tantrum at 4 when we left Dora the Expolorer without any accessories.

Message edited 12/19/2010 7:16:55 PM.

Re: How do you teach your kids to appreciate what they have?

We adopted a family through the boys' school this year. I took Brady (3 y.o.) shopping with me and told him we were ONLY buying for the family that NEEDS things. I simply said you WANT something but you already have one, they NEED it because they don't have any. He actually "got" it. Midway through shopping he snuck a sleeping bag into the cart and when i reminded him what want means and need means he said "oh OK", and put the sleeping bag back. I was a proud momma.