Lesson Twelve: A Lack of Gratitude Equals a Lack of Privileges

I think most parents want more for their kids than they had themselves and we are no exception.  During my childhood I had very few opportunities to do activities and sports.  We try very hard to give our kids opportunities when we can, while at the same time hoping they understand that they are lucky to be able to do them.

I am currently unemployed and have been for the last 9 months.  We have had to do much belt tightening and have made many decisions about our finances.  Before I was laid off, we purchased ski lessons for our girls at a charity auction.  Now that ski season has arrived, we had to make a decision about the ski lessons knowing that there were costs involved such as lift tickets and equipment.  After much discussion we decided that we would make some other sacrifices so that we could provide ski lessons for both of them.  This marks the third year that they have taken lessons.

We scoured through Craigslist looking for inexpensive equipment for them, bought student discounted lift tickets, warm hats and gloves and made the drive up to our local ski area.  My youngest daughter is always up for a challenge so she was thrilled to be in the snow.  My older daughter on the other hand was less than excited.  Her coat was too small, her goggles were too loose, the skis were too heavy, it was too cold.

We met up with the instructor and sent them on their way assuming that once they got out there, they would enjoy it as much as they had in previous years.  When we returned to pick them up, they both politely thanked their instructor as we would expect and then turned to walk away.  We asked how it went and from my youngest daughter, we heard that it was great.  From my oldest daughter...."I hate skiing".

After spending money that could have gone elsewhere, spending the time and effort to find, adjust and clean the equipment and then drive up to the pass this was enough to send my husband and I over the edge.

We ended up having a very long discussion about gratitude and privileges and decided that in order for her to have a better understanding of gratitude, we would take away the privilege that is most important to her; her phone.  She will be without her phone for 2 weeks at which time we will re-evaluate.  In the wake of the earthquake in Haiti, my children absolutely have to understand how lucky and blessed they are. 

Lesson Twelve:  A lack of gratitude equals a lack of privileges.