“But everyone else has it.” “If you loved me, you’d get it for me!” When you hear these comments from your kids, it can be tough not to cave. You love your children―don’t you want them to be happy and to fit in?
Kristen Welch knows firsthand it’s not that easy. In fact, she’s found out that when you say yes too often, it’s not only hard on your peace of mind and your wallet―it actually puts your kids at long-term risk. In Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World, Kristen shares the ups and downs in her own family’s journey of discovering why it’s healthiest not to give their kids everything. Teaching them the difference between “want” and “need” is the first step in the right direction. With many practical tips and anecdotes, she shares how to help kids become hardworking, fulfilled, and successful adults.
It’s never too late to raise grateful kids. Get ready to cultivate a spirit
of genuine appreciation in your family and create a home in which your kids don’t just say―but mean!―“thank you” for everything they have.
Availability: Tyndale, Amazon
Kristen Welch, the author of Don't Make Me Come Up There! and Rhinestone Jesus, is a busy mother of three who blogs about her life at wearethatfamily.com. She is also one of Dayspring's (in)courage writers, a frequent speaker, and a regular contributor to Lifeway's HomeLife and ParentLife magazines. Kristen lives in Texas.
My Thoughts:
I fell in love with this book from the first chapter. This is exactly the advice I needed to help me know how to work through this entitlement problem with my children, and maybe even expose some of it in myself. Honestly, I grew up on the mission field. Even though we do not have as much as the "Jonses" now, I have seen people with much, much less, and it really makes me appreciate what I have. But my children did not grow up there, I don't really think they know what it's like to really do without, except for doing without what they think they need to have that all their friends have such as a tablet? or the latest DS game? or a new bike? I want them to learn thankfulness, in good times and in hard times. I want them to really recognize their blessings and appreciate them, and I certainly want them to learn the value of hard work and a dollar. (Not the "value" of me fulfilling all their wants and desires)
Kristen's advice is not just a series of words, and sentences, but a personal experience. I loved reading about the things that happened in her family, with her own children, or her personal story. Why? Because that means, I can do this too. If it is working with her it can work for us. She is sure to let us know that she is not a parenting expert, but simply speaking from the heart about what they have put into practice as a family and how it has affected them. One of the things she said that really resonated with me was "What our culture feels entitled to isn't just stuff. It's the desire to fit in, to feel good or happy all the time; to receive something just because we want it, hard work optional." And then, a little further on, "It takes consistent teaching to remember we aren't owed happiness all the time. That's not our goal because god can use disappointments and even discouragement to draw us closer to Him. Contentment is our aim, because it doesn't fluctuate with our circumstances."
Will you agree with everything she says? Maybe not, but in today's entitled society, if you are looking for a breath a fresh air, help with developing a more grateful attitude in the life of your kids, this will be a great resource. I would definitely recommend reading it thoroughly.
I was blessed with a copy of this book from Tyndale Blog Network. It releases January 26, 2016.
It’s never too late to raise grateful kids. Get ready to cultivate a spirit
of genuine appreciation in your family and create a home in which your kids don’t just say―but mean!―“thank you” for everything they have.
Availability: Tyndale, Amazon
About the Author:
Kristen Welch, the author of Don't Make Me Come Up There! and Rhinestone Jesus, is a busy mother of three who blogs about her life at wearethatfamily.com. She is also one of Dayspring's (in)courage writers, a frequent speaker, and a regular contributor to Lifeway's HomeLife and ParentLife magazines. Kristen lives in Texas.My Thoughts:
I fell in love with this book from the first chapter. This is exactly the advice I needed to help me know how to work through this entitlement problem with my children, and maybe even expose some of it in myself. Honestly, I grew up on the mission field. Even though we do not have as much as the "Jonses" now, I have seen people with much, much less, and it really makes me appreciate what I have. But my children did not grow up there, I don't really think they know what it's like to really do without, except for doing without what they think they need to have that all their friends have such as a tablet? or the latest DS game? or a new bike? I want them to learn thankfulness, in good times and in hard times. I want them to really recognize their blessings and appreciate them, and I certainly want them to learn the value of hard work and a dollar. (Not the "value" of me fulfilling all their wants and desires)
Kristen's advice is not just a series of words, and sentences, but a personal experience. I loved reading about the things that happened in her family, with her own children, or her personal story. Why? Because that means, I can do this too. If it is working with her it can work for us. She is sure to let us know that she is not a parenting expert, but simply speaking from the heart about what they have put into practice as a family and how it has affected them. One of the things she said that really resonated with me was "What our culture feels entitled to isn't just stuff. It's the desire to fit in, to feel good or happy all the time; to receive something just because we want it, hard work optional." And then, a little further on, "It takes consistent teaching to remember we aren't owed happiness all the time. That's not our goal because god can use disappointments and even discouragement to draw us closer to Him. Contentment is our aim, because it doesn't fluctuate with our circumstances."
Will you agree with everything she says? Maybe not, but in today's entitled society, if you are looking for a breath a fresh air, help with developing a more grateful attitude in the life of your kids, this will be a great resource. I would definitely recommend reading it thoroughly.
I was blessed with a copy of this book from Tyndale Blog Network. It releases January 26, 2016.
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