This is the final week of the Thankfulness Challenge. Thanks so much to those of you who joined in the fun!

To catch up on previous weeks, click on the following links:

Week 1 Challenge: Write in a journal 1 thing for which you’re thankful each day in November.

Week 2 Challenge: Thank your spouse for the little things, not just the big things.

Week 3 Challenge: Thank the heroes in your life.

Now for today’s challenge…

Week 4 Challenge: Teach your kids to be thankful. 

I’ll be the first to admit how hard this is. Blame it on living in America or on watching too many television commercials or on having too much stuff or whatever…but it’s hard to teach kids to be thankful! And with Christmas right around the corner, now is the perfect time to start teaching!

How to teach kids to be thankful: 

1. Allow your children to see those who are less fortunate. 

Better yet, allow your children to serve those who are less fortunate. Nothing opens our eyes to our blessings more than seeing someone with less. And nothing creates a thankful heart as well as serving those in need.

2. Require “thank you’s.” 

Don’t allow your children to be ungrateful. If they want more milk, teach them to say please and thank you. One of the rules in our home is that if you can’t say please and thank you, you don’t need whatever it is you are asking for.

At birthdays and Christmas, remind your children to say “thank you” for each gift they receive, even if they don’t particularly like the gift.

3. Be a good example.

When we are thankful people, our children will likely follow in our footsteps, so allow your children to overhear you saying thank you to your spouse or praising God for his blessings.

4. Ask them daily what they are thankful for. 

This teaches them to look for the bright spots in their day. It reminds them there is always something to be thankful for, even on the hard days.

I wrote a post last Spring about how to raise thankful kids in an entitled world over at Raising Mighty Arrows. Check that out for several more tips!

What other suggestions would you add to this list? Leave a comment on this post. Then, if you’d like, share a tweet or Facebook post with the hashtag #thankfulchallenge. And don’t forget to join the conversation on my Facebook Author Page or on Twitter.

Click to tweet this: I’m participating in the #thankfulchallenge with @LindseyMBell Want to join?

Click to tweet this: Tips on raising thankful kids from @LindseyMBell #thankfulchallenge