Are We Making Our Kids Less Grateful?

I recorded this VLOG one night while reflecting on my day and was feeling guilty for “losing it on my kids” (watch time under 3 minutes).

After I posted it, I got tons of responses from you sharing your thoughts and opinions and I loved them all.  Thank you for taking the time to write and share.  Sharing our experiences is so valuable, I encourage everyone to read the comments! 

After I shared this video, I thought more about what I was feeling and trying to convey.

I can honestly say my kids were much better behaved after I lost it.  They were helpful and actually really grateful for the groceries we got.  They packed the bags, loaded the car, brought the groceries in and helped unload them too.

What I think was bothering me the most, was that I had to “lose” it for them to listen and be more grateful. 

Is “losing” it really necessary in parenting?

I don’t know the answer, but I do know my kids definitely act better after I give them the stern and angry “Mom Rant”.

And I know that changing my mind was a big trigger for my son to act out and throw a tantrum, BUT life is about change and sometimes things don’t go as we planned.  We need to teach our kids to be flexible too.  

Parenting has changed so much since I was a kid.  I did talk to my Mom about this video after I recorded it and she had some great insight.

My Mom raised three kids, but she also worked at a University for 30 years and saw first hand the results of different parenting styles. 

She said one of the biggest things she saw change was WHO disciplines kids. 

“All of a sudden, teachers and other authorities were no longer allowed to discipline kids.  It was just the parents who could discipline, and the parents became over protective and more controlling.  I think this made kids more entitled because they were used to their parents constantly fighting their battles for them and bailing them out of situations.  I experienced this countless times, when students would tell me, that I would hear from their Mom or Dad when things weren’t going their way. {she worked in the finance department}.

When you {meaning me and my brother and sister} were kids we weren’t as involved in your lives.  We gave you more independence and we let you fall down and learn from your mistakes.  I think this made you understand cause and effect more.  Also kids don’t want for anything today.  If they want something, they get it. Today’s society is instant gratification so kids have no patience, which makes them seem ungrateful if they don’t get what they want right away”.

Catherine Leahy aka My amazing Mom

My Mom is a smart lady!

I also saw this video recently online, and wanted to share it.  It is honestly one of the best videos I have seen in a LONG time.  Author Simon Sinek sums up the millennial generation beautifully.  He talks candidly about the “entitled and ungrateful” generation and WHY they are this way.  It’s no surprise this video is being shared millions of times. 

Good luck on this parenting journey.  I think the best comment I received about this topic was:

I don’t think any of us are truly grateful until we too become parents and fully understand the sacrifices our parents made.  

And because I think comedy is the best way to cope with the struggles of parenting (struggles of anything really), I strongly encourage you to watch this video of a Dad who went viral for recording his hilarious rant about his daughter who came home from College for the Christmas holidays!