16 Ways To Teach Kids to be Grateful:  With 2 kids and a limited budget.  I feel teaching expectation and gratitude  has always been very important learning toys are not a requirements when we go to the store or anywhere.  When my son was younger, I remember being in a large store (the one with a bullseye logo).  We were shopping for clothes and toiletries.  My son who was about 4 at the time started throwing a temper tantrum about getting a toy car.   I was not sure what to do,  I remembered  a discussion with a mom who told me once she just left a store,  leaving the cart in the isle to teach her child not to ask for toys.

On this day.. I decided enough was a enough,  we were in the card isle, this little boy would not let up.  I grabbed my daughter and walked away saying “We are leaving (full cart abandoned… sorry to who every cleaned it up) … he was so shocked he stopped crying.  I think he thought we would go back,  and we did not.  We drove towards home and I did not say a word.  When we pulled in the driveway,  I turned around and informed him that going to store does not mean he will get a toy.  That was the day I decided, I will not have a kid that expected toys for everything and would be grateful when he did receive .

How do you teach kids how to not beg for every single toy they see and to be grateful for what they have.

1. Toys are not a reward for everyday task.. For larger tasks/goals like working all summer to jump off diving board, great grades.
2. Create a list of toys and evaluate it and explain that one or 2 items not all items may be purchased.
3. It is ok to wait for a holiday gifts Christmas, Hanukkah , and Birthdays
4. Teach your kids one or 2 gifts are ok to get,  it is not a contest.
5. Teach your child to appreciate toys and gifts,  say “Thank you”and take your time
6. On holidays open each person gift one at a time, they gift giver took the time to locate and purchase the gift, not to mention spent money- gifts are not a given they should be appreciated.
7. Every Holiday or everyday  is not a toy holiday or gift holiday (Easter, 4th of July, going to grandmas house) are not reasons for gifts, toys, money or  Xbox games.
8. Set limits on value of toys (my son once wanted a $200 Lego set, that was not in our budget,  he saved for it)
9. It is OK not to have what there friends have.
10. Life is not always about being equal or fair –  Sometimes one person will get something and you will have to remind them of past gifts or toys they received (jealousy is not good, teach of the good they have)
11. Lower Expectations avoiding instant gratification complex
12. Lead by example:  Do not always buy something for yourself,  1st time you see it, teach them window shopping and planning for goals.  (chart or saving for item)
13. It is ok not to have the latest or greatest, and used is fine.  Try a thrift store.
14. It is good to want it makes things special when you do receive them.
15. Souvenirs and Toy are not required when we go someplace the experience is enough. This is particular important when you child goes somewhere with other people.  For us this is a big one. Being a blogger I get invited to many places.  I love sharing some of these experience with others.  I do however inform a parent and child that we will not be purchasing souvenir when we go.  The experience is enough, and planing for a decorative souvenir cup for $12 each kid (a whopping $36 on plastic crap that will be throw away in a few weeks) will not happen.  If the kid bring money for his souvenir then it makes my kids feel left out.  Plus the kid who is focused on the souvenir and shopping is missing the actually experience.   My kids are invited many places because they are grateful, always say thank you and don’t ask for stuff. (this is drilled in there heads)  Trust me if you are teaching your kids they need to purchase or get something everywhere they go you are doing a disservice to them.  Because I have heard the other parents and kids mention it,  I know certain kids don’t get invited for this reason.
16. Teach your kids to verbalize what they liked about a day, experience, or being with family asks specific question on a ride home or at the table.  Have them focus on playing with friends, or great food, what they liked about the stories of the days will help the to build resilience and find fulfillment.

Setting your kids up to live with less stuff allows your kids to experience more with there minds.   The truth is you will not always be there supplying them with funds, teaching them the value of money and Life is not about acquiring stuff is a skill that will always benefit them to seek true happiness.

This Post is sponsored by Pley.  Pley is a subscription based toy service.  You pay a monthly fee starting as low as $9.99,  the kids pick out the toys they are interested in.  Then one of the toys is sent for the child to play with till they choose not too.  You return the toy in the prepaid package and another is sent.    They have amazing toys Legos, American Girl and more.  I love this service because it teaches kids that time and patience and not in instant gratification.  Pley is also a great service because they toys are cleaned and reused by another child.   It teaches also that wanting is good and be grateful when the toys  arrives.   Rental toys create less clutter, less stuff, and time for more experiences.