I Believe in the Importance of Being
a Good Example and Being Content
This is
reprinted from Dave Ramsey’s web site:
Kids are sponges; they absorb
whatever they come in contact with. If you want your child to learn how to
treat others with respect, you need to model that behavior for them. If you
want Junior to value the importance of education, make sure you demonstrate
just how important school really is. And if you want your kid to learn contentment,
they need to see it in your life first.
Parents often forget that they are
the biggest role model their kids will ever encounter. If you want your
child to be content with what they have, you must lead by example. If you
have stuffitis, your kid will have stuffitis. Contentment, simply put, is
living within your means. It means you are thankful for what you have and don’t
get upset thinking about the things you don’t have.
Lead
By Example
It’s easy to fall into the trap of
wanting more money, a bigger house, better clothes, a newer car … the list goes
on and on. When your child sees you wishing for all those things, they, in
turn, will start wishing for more stuff. It’s just a habit of their
surroundings! If you want to teach your kid about contentment, make sure you
are modeling it in your own attitude, too. Contentment is easy to adopt, but
it’s also easy to forget.
Set
Priorities
Everyone needs limits in their life.
Creating priorities allows you to see what’s important and what isn’t. This
also applies to when you make a budget. The important stuff, like the four
walls, gets listed first and the lesser important things run down the list. Contentment
takes a certain amount of control in order to be successful. You learn to
be content with your money by controlling your shopping sprees and refusing to
spend more than you make. Doing this will teach your child the importance of
setting priorities and not wavering from them.
No
Hissy Fits
If your child sees you throw an
adult temper tantrum when you don’t get what you want, what’s stopping them
from doing the same thing? Sure, maybe you’re not lying in the middle of the
toy aisle screaming at the top of your lungs. But what about that time you were
at the electronic store checking out the latest gadget before you realized you
didn’t have the money in your budget? Or what about that designer purse you
wanted last week? Did your kid see you get upset when you checked the blow
envelope and realized you couldn’t afford it? If you don’t want your kid to
throw a hissy fit when they don’t get something they want, then you shouldn’t
either.
Talk
It Through
So you’re upset and don’t feel the
least bit content right now. Don’t just silently deal with it! Use your
emotions as a learning experience for your kid! Tell your child how you
really feel, let them know that even adults have weak moments that make them
want to whine and cry. Just don’t give in to those moments! This is the perfect
way to model contentment for your child. Be real and let your child see that
even adults struggle with contentment. But also make sure you discuss with them
why contentment is so important—take advantage of this teachable moment!
Learn
By Practicing
You probably had a coach or music
teacher tell you that practice makes perfect. Well, they weren’t too far off.
You may never obtain perfection in the area of contentment, but practicing it
will definitely make you better! Instill a system in your life. Whenever you
start to feel upset about not having the newest “it” item, find something to do
that will make you grateful for what you have. And teach your kid that
contentment takes practice. Every time Junior wants a toy, stick to your guns
and reiterate the importance of saving up their money to purchase the toy. After
a while, even the most difficult child will learn to be content with what they
have.
Contentment may take some work, but
it’s something that any parent can give to their child. Putting a little effort
into making contentment a reality in your family will reap benefits that last a
lifetime!
I like the point he makes about
thinking about something that makes you grateful. Taking stock of what blessings we have always
leads one to being grateful. Example is a powerful force in our lives and it is
always working either to help others or it is hindering their happiness. I like his thoughts that Contentment is
something you can practice and get better at.
Every characteristic can be practiced and can become more dominant in
our nature. That is what we need to
learn to do practice and practice putting off the natural man and becoming new
creatures in Christ. With the help of
our Savior all things are possible for those that believe. I believe in the
importance of being a good example and being content with what we have.
