In the name of good parenting, parents often end up guilt-tripping and shaming their children when they fear that normal egocentric behavior signals entitlement and inconsideration. The “You don’t know how good you’ve got it” and “After all I’ve done for you” litany holds the expectation that children should be able to compare their lives to the lives of those who have less and appreciate all they have and all you do. Could this be more about you than your children?
As you listen to Adam and I discuss the concept of gratitude and how to encourage it in children, think about your own childhood and what you perceived was expected of you. Did you meet up to those expectations?
Bonnie Harris, MS.Ed., director of Connective Parenting, 30+ years of coaching, teaching, and writing for parents.
https://linktr.ee/bonnieharrisparenting
Produced, mixed, and scored by Echo Finch