Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World: How One Family Learned That Saying No Can Lead to Life's Biggest Yes
By: Kristen Welch
Publication: January 26th 2016 by Tyndale Momentum
272 pages
Genre: Non-fiction, Self-Help, Christian
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Goodreads description--"But everyone else has it." "If you loved me, you'd get it for me!" When you hear these comments from your kids, it can be tough not to cave. You love your children--don't you want them to be happy and to fit in?
Kristen Welch knows firsthand it's not that easy. In fact, she's found out that when you say yes too often, it's not only hard on your peace of mind and your wallet--it actually puts your kids at long-term risk. In Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World, Kristen shares the ups and downs in her own family's journey of discovering why it's healthiest not to give their kids everything. Teaching them the difference between "want" and "need" is the first step in the right direction. With many practical tips and anecdotes, she shares how to say the ultimate yes as a family by bringing up faith-filled kids who will love God, serve others, and grow into hardworking, fulfilled, and successful adults.
It's never too late to raise grateful kids. Get ready to cultivate a spirit of genuine appreciation and create a Jesus-centered home in which your kids don't just say--but mean!--"thank you" for everything they have.
Man, parenting is HARD. I feel like I am constantly looking for resources and information to help me better myself and my parenting. Nothing quite puts the mirror in front of your face like having a mini version of yourself reflecting your good and bad traits and habits. And one thing I've noticed is that my kids have been lacking in grateful hearts and seem to have an abundance of entitlement. But man if this book didn't help me to see that I too have struggled with this, and all my kids have learned, they've learned from me. I have already made some adjustments in my life to see the good, to see the blessings, to appreciate the excess. And the very first day I put this into practice, my daughter commented to Husband that she wanted me to put her to bed that night because I was being so nice that day. Gratitude bleeds out into all areas.
I love Kristen Welch's heart. I feel such a kindredness in her. You can tell that she loves her kids and wants what's best for them. And sometimes what's best for them isn't what you always think on the surface level. I have always found myself appreciating a tough-love approach. I don't find it loving to enable people. I don't find it loving to treat them in ways that cause them to form bad habits. Thankfully Husband tends to balance me out pretty well, but it was nice to see that there are indeed benefits of tough love in some instances.
Kristen Welch talks about how difficult it can be to raise kids in a way that is counter-cultural. In our culture, everyone seems to be out for themselves. What can they get? What can they have? Who has more than me and how can I get the same or better than them? It's sad, really. And I loved her reasoning for wanting to swim against the current. Kristen's ideas on some parenting concepts are going to be off-putting to some for this simple reason. She is going against the grain. And so if you're easily offended, perhaps this isn't the book for you. But if you're brave enough to fight the easy path for the sake of your children, then I dare you to check out this book.
Husband and I will be going through Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World together as a devotional soon. I got so much out of this book that I can't wait to discuss it with him together. This is a book that I feel like every parent needs to read (or listen to). Yet I know it won't be one that always inspires the same level of excitement and possibility as it did for me. Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World gets 5 Stars from me. This is my first 5 Star rating for 2022. Have you read Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World? What did you think? Let me know!
