I've probably written about this, but my opinion is that we parents need to teach our children to be thankful for what they have in the MOMENT. For example, if you are driving in to Kings Dominion, and your child (doesn't matter the age) says how they can't wait for ice cream later/skiing in the winter/the beach next week etc. etc.--NIP THAT in the bud and redirect them to be excited for what is happening right then. This type of thinking can plague people of any age and it starts young. In writing this it really seems like everyone would see this issue and want to correct it, but I'm sadly able to say that the issue goes unchecked and parent's fail to see the real heart issue and instead just explain how later they'll get so and so blah blah blah. Please parents--do not fail to instruct and train in every instance of "if only" thinking. These patterns lead to discontent in the adult years if not properly rooted out during one's childhood. Second-guessing your own decisions in front of your children is a sure-fire way to cause them to then second-guess life. Adults and kids have the same sins, they just look different. Consider praying for wisdom about how your sins are being manifest in your kids.
If you as a parent have failed in this area, act fast! Let the family know there is a new standard in your household and everyone is going to be grateful for what they have, when they have it. The amount of wealth a person has makes no difference--the very poor can be discontent and so can the rich.
Here is a sample training scenario--when you give out ice cream next time, tell the kids they need to be grateful for what has been given and simply say thank you, no questions or comments other than that. If someone says, "Can I have more?" or "What about sprinkles?" or in any way looks disappointed or sighs, whatever--take the whole thing away and tell them next time to be grateful for what they have been given. Do it nicely; you aren't trying to torture them, it is a loving parent that does the hard things now in order to help their children bear fruit later. This might sound harsh, but I can bet you the kids will learn the lesson fast, and it is worth it. I'm amazed at how many kids today have a 'never enough' mentality, and it is often because the parents have the same attitude, it is just hidden from most people. There was a time I was a 'never enough' person, and trust me, God can deliver! I never felt satisfied and would feel sorry for myself as a young person always thinking there was something better to be had. As an adult, it is such a blessing to not be plagued by that problem and it breaks my heart how many kids are left to their own devices with this issue.
Ask God for wisdom, He will give it.
~Ann
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13-14 (Paul had victories and defeats, he said to forget what lies behind...don't rest in past glories or failures, keep pressing forward!)
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Phil 4:8 (particularly good for the child that acts like everything is a chore, even if it's something they have wanted...)
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