Who doesn’t know about the self absorbed behaviors of teens?

They eat and use the last of anything and everything, without telling
anybody. The bathroom becomes their own private domain. They spend money,
(that is, your money) as if money were the leaves from trees. I’m sure that teens
aren’t aware of their selfishness, they are just being themselves. We have to get
teens to be more than just themselves. This is a daunting feat, but not an
impossible feat.

Our high and lofty calling, is to teach teens to think about others, before
themselves; to be self sacrificing (that is, giving up something that they love for
somebody else); and to serve without scowling. If you’re like me, you’re probably
feeling overwhelmed already.

To help the unthankful become thankful, there are two highly effective
strategies. First, we model thankful behaviors. It’s critical that they see us thinking
about others before ourselves; they see us as self-sacrificing (giving up something
that we love for somebody else); and they see us serve without scowling. Our
behavior is the primary way that they learn.

Secondly, there are numerous organizations that are begging for
volunteers, who will work without getting some benefit to themselves. The
weather is getting more extreme and muscles and time is needed to help people
whose homes and belongings are wiped away be natural disasters, get on their
feet.

The benefits to your teen are innumerable. Your teen will develop
leadership skills, they will learn to give and not take. They will develop talents
that can’t be discovered sitting in front of the television.

Go ahead try it. You may be surprised by the empathetic, kind and self-
sacrificing spirit that is housed in your teen. Joy and submission will replace the

grouchy oppositional attitude. You may have fewer angry outbursts, and you may
find that your teen is more cooperative in the home.

The Thanksgiving/Christmas season is a perfect time to start the process.
Notice we start now, but to make a real dent in unthankful behavior, selflessness
must become a part of our character, so that it will become a part of their
character.