Episode 51: Gratitude, not Entitlement.
Engaging, challenging, and empowering parents in raising well-rounded children through combining educational research to everyday life.
LISTEN NOW
APPLE PODCAST SPOTIFY GOOGLE PODCAST
on today’s episode…
This week, we are talking about fighting consumerism and entitlement… both of which are robbing gratitude from overflowing in our hearts and our kids’ hearts too.
In this episode, Dr. Cagle shares how they’re fighting against these things in their home. Take a listen to find out the strategy!
insights
It’s Thanksgiving week! If your feed on social media is anything like mine, you’re seeing tons of “Thankful posts.”
Although this isn’t *everyone* that’s involved in gratitude posts… I think that these posts deserve to be around year-round, not just in November!
What words are flowing from your lips the rest of the year?
In her book, Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World, Kristen Welch lists 7 fears/worries that parents have. She calls them the “Seven Ways We Parents Miss the Boat:” (p. 51-65)
We Want Our Kids to Be Our Friends
We Are Afraid to Say No Because of the Fallout
We Feel Guilty about Our Circumstances
We Are Busy
We Don’t Want Them to Fail
We Don’t Want Them to Feel Left Out
We Don’t Want Them to Be Unhappy
One way Josh and I are fighting these 7 areas in our home is by giving our boys “jobs.”
How do I teach my child that money doesn’t grow on trees?
That it takes hard work to earn money?
How can I teach them the value of money, so they understand what’s worth buying, how earnings work, and the joy of giving?
We decided that:
The payment will not be called “allowance.” They’re not getting money just because they’re cute, live in our house, or want to buy things.
They’re not getting paid for “chores.” Chores are tasks that help the entire family, like making their bed, unloading the dishwasher, putting up their clothes, taking out the trash, picking up dog dookie, etc. Those are tasks that we just gotta do to take care of our home and each other.
We will call them “jobs.” Essentially, that’s how you earn money— you have a job.
Use this strategy or continue with yours! The biggest caution I have is that you teach them the value of money, rather than just handing over dollar bills or things just because.
Research their career choice and show the average earnings... create a budget with them… involve them as you fill up your gas tank, buy groceries, and pay the electric bill… tell them when God tugged on your heart to give and what you did to obey… let them see you give… let them give too— teach them to hear His voice!
In Luke 6:38 (NLT), Jesus said: “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
Altogether, there are 2 tremendously important lessons to teach your kids regarding money:
To be educated, wise consumers
To be obedient givers
They will be so grateful when they grow up!
