How to teach children gratitude

Many people today do not understand the value of gratitude, as a lot of people are ungrateful, for various reasons. I myself have a gratitude-based theology, meaning I feel entitled to nothing, and grateful for everything, and when you feel that way genuinely, you attach grateful connotations to everything, and life is peaceful. All trauma is subdued to the lowest levels of your psyche, for reference when you need it, and you focus on the here and now.

How do you teach children gratitude. First, you must take a grateful attitude yourself. It says in Ephesians 6:1-4 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor thy father and mother, for this is the first commandment with promise; That is may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long upon the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to anger: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers to Christian discipline in parents in relation to children, meaning exemplary discipline. Parents are to take up the life attitude that they are entitled to nothing, but grateful for everything, including from their children, especially from their children. True gratitude and non-entitlement exists on the parent level of the psyche, meaning the entitlement or lack thereof you show towards children defines your entire entitlement from the bottom up. Gratitude is formed by serving your child, yet expecting nothing in return from them, then gasping in gratitude when they actually do show you respect and affection, which they have no obligation to if you don't show them due love and respect. Gratitude is giving thanks for respect and gifts undeserved, and parents are always undeserving in relation to their children. This attitude should be imparted as an example handed down from parents, not as harsh punishment. The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and literally translates to "bitter anger" and refers to provocations to anger imposed on children, meaning offenses against children, as defined as the slightest of personal offense perceived against a child, as defined by the inspired pen of the Apostle Paul as prohibiting all forms of punitive parenting towards children, including spanking and other forms of punishment. Here, the Apostle Paul was cracking down on the idolatrous and pagan Greco-Roman tradition of spanking children, which was legally defended under Roman law but not the Jewish law that Christ defended.

How do you motivate children to learn from a grateful example? The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) refers to respect, but a trusting form of respect that is earned. Replace "obey" with "trust" and you come roughly to a better translation. But, this form of trust is very deep, meaning it is a maternal and sustaining trust first found in one's mother, with parents in biblical times engaging in attachment parenting. Children as old as age 3 were breastfed and held close to mothers, with children not ceasing the Jewish tradition of co-sleeping with mothers until adulthood, and even as young adults, dependent children slept close to their mother and father, and even next to parents at times of need. Ancient Jewish parenting was based on closeness leading to independence later on, not blind and slavish obedience to authority. Children listened to parents out of this close bond by following the example of parents. 

It says in Hebrews 12:11 KJV:

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

This verse also refers to Christian discipline, here in parents, with "chastening" being denoted also by the Greek root word παιδεία (Latin: paideia). This verse describes where to find discipline - by enduring hardship as a parent. Don't fight the hardship imposed by raising children, or you will be led to rebellious attitudes. Halt in the name of hardship as a parent, and surrender to your child's demands, knowing you will be rewarded in the end if you show respect towards your child, thus your burden and toil as a parent leading to "the peaceable fruit of righteousness" being yielded to you, which is usually a happy and content child who shows affection to parents, and rests in the loving arms of parents peaceably.

This nation is a Christian nation, and was founded on Judeo-Christian family values. Those values, even, do not allow for corporal punishment or other punitive treatment of children. Parents who want grateful children - with gratitude being a core value of our nation - should be grateful themselves...especially for their children! Gratitude isn't something you can beat into someone, but an attitude you assume by choosing to deprive yourself of things you want, by not demanding your way. That starts with not demanding your way with children, as children are extensions of God and are the "least of these" in need of society's care and charity. Love your children, or children in general if you are childless yourself, and with love comes gratitude. Christian love is denoted by the Greek root word αγαπαο (Latin: agapao) and refers to being struck to fear and terror towards one's child, leading to conviction to surrender to one's child as one would God, expecting absolutely nothing in return for the good service offered. Children can't pay tribute to your every good deed towards them either. You give and pitch in, and they thank you later for your hard work, if you earned it.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke children to anger will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them burn in the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices, with Hell being their final resting place, and for wicked and entitled parents! Let them descend into a Hell of fire and torment, with God not sparing His Wrath for the evildoing parents! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!