How do you teach teenagers to be respectful and grateful?

That is a good question, it is very hard.


I tried to do it by setting a good example.


I told them to always thank someone when they give you something even if it is a complement.


Compassion is another one that is hard to teach.


Don't know if it worked or not, they are just out of the teen years and it must take a few years to sink in because the 23 year old is finally starting to ';get it';.How do you teach teenagers to be respectful and grateful?
You don't teach teenagers. You start it from the time they are babies.How do you teach teenagers to be respectful and grateful?
Live by example.
I encounter alot of adults who likes to disrespect other people just to give there own-self a boost.


Explain to your kid, Talk to them in a way that they will understand: Let me give you an example, the other day I was in the park with my two daughters. We saw a bunch of squalls gather around a tree Yak,Yak,Yak disrespecting a tree, I said to my daughters look at those squalls, there is really no logic here a bunch of squalls gather around a tree to Yak,Yak,Yak just because these squalls could not get a nut in this park! '; Like humans there are people out there in the world who dis-respect others just because they themself could not get some nuts in the world.'; Don't be like those squalls who could not get those nuts %26amp; kept on disrespecting the world--they are just disrespecting themself.
They NEEDED to be taught this when they were 2.
Show them respect and gratitude. They always emulate their parents and that is the key. If they respond with no enthuasium tell them that you want them to be respectful and give them a reason to be by being a constant standard. You will find that they will not be able to respond negatively if you calmly remain stern and a friend. Kids are mirrors of what they see and feel. The more respected they feel the more they will give it back. Always be a friend they can confide in and gratefulness will follow.
Be respectful to them. Show them love, and how to love. When they show disrespect to others (even other teens or children) you must reprimand them. Not in a sense that makes them feel more anger toward that person, but in a way that they can see how the other person feels (i.e. put yourself in their shoes) Teach them the meaning of no, and do not reinforce ungrateful behavior (i.e. throwing temper tantrums, slamming doors, stomping their feet, and talking back). My parents didn't allow me to have whatever I wanted, without deserving it. Also, when they couldn't get me what I wanted, she just couldn't and I had to accept that. It really taught me to be grateful for whatever I am given. You must start all of this from the beginning of their life.
If you have money, bring them to travel to third world countries. Let them see misery of people especially children over there. After you come back, they will be grateful what they now have. It works. Be careful when you travel to poor countries. Choose a country not so dangerous.
1. Teach them to be kind to others. Get them involved in volunteer work, church work and good deeds.


2. Set a good example for them.


3. Let them see that many people do not have a very good life: nursing homes, shelters, etc.


4. Let them work for what they want either by getting jobs or by doing chores. Don't just give them whatever they ask for.


5. Set high expectations for them. Show them what is important. Go to the symphony, art museums, lectures, art movies, etc. as well as sports events, or vacations. Make education a priority. Give them music and/or art lessons.


6. Teach them a skill that you have: knitting, wood working, sewing, cooking, a sport, etc. It will bring you closer.
you start from birth...after that, in this day and age...and kids being much more ';street smart'; by the time they're teenagers, it's too late. We've been LIVING this in our house for years!!! Our oldest is almost 19 and we still have respect issues!
by being respectfull towards them..some parents are always screaming on their 16 year olds..how come you can expect them to be a gentleman...
You start teaching them when they are toddlers. By the time they are in their teens it's too late.
well beatings would not 100% work, taking away their freedom would not work too. Humiliation punishment such as diaper punishment will make it more worst cuz it really corrupt the young minds. the best way is communication and firm strict attitude towards the child. so he or she knows this ain't joking
Its kind of hard teaching a teenager something that you should've taught them years ago... Be firm and good luck...
http://www.loveandlogic.com/





Works like a charm :)
hhhmmm??? well actually it probably almost too late to start trying to teach something like that when they're teenagers, should've started when they we little, (providing one had the opportunity) however i would never say never. well start with setting an example, ie you be the example %26amp; lead the way. when somebody bad does something to them, explain how that didn't stop them from doing something bad to someone else (if you can) do unto to others...etc (no i'm not religious, but that is a good one)


if its about money, or something material that they want, then make them work for the money to earn it, the harder the have to work to earn it the more grateful %26amp; respecting they are. give them real or made up (let them believe its real) finances of the household, income %26amp; outgoing incl bills, car %26amp; hm maintenance, clothes, entertainment everything %26amp; help them spread the money as far as they can, so as they can see the $x doesn't always stretch as far as we'd like it too. give them a certain amount of respect, esp if they've earnt it %26amp; show them gratitude when its nec.


give them chores to do %26amp; explain that not all chores have material rewards such as parenting.


take them somewhere to volunteer (a good couple of days, not just a few hours) %26amp; then they can see that other people are worse off than they are. use other teenagers around you that aren't as fortunate as your teenagers as examples.


my son 16y has a friend, moderately good kid, but is basically spoilt %26amp; back chats %26amp; ungrateful %26amp; disrepectful of his mother %26amp; many others around them. initially my son thought that this other kid was lucky %26amp; his mum was better than me, after a while %26amp; several discussions over the last couple of years (since we've known them) my son now says that even though he loves the other mum, he's glad that i am his mum %26amp; that he's glad i raised him the way i have %26amp; that i am as strict as i am, although i'm not very strict at all.......
Teach respect and gratitude by showing it. If you want your teens to respect you, you need to respect them. When they've done something you're grateful for, make a point of finding them RIGHT THEN and thank them. Look for the little things... being kind to each other instead of mean, helping each other, helping you... They'll notice and remember.
Just do it. It'd be lots of hard work.