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Anthony's avatar

My mom used to be a guidance counselor and the kids they gave coats to would lose them constantly because they could just get another one. There's no gratitude or appreciation there.

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My Favorite Things's avatar

I stopped volunteering to give Christmas gifts 🎁 to children because parents felt entitled to them.

People donated bikes and other nice toys. I imagine some of those people did without to make sure kids received their Christmas wishes. I gave out many gifts to parents and none of them said a word of thanks. I was shocked.

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RunningLogic's avatar

That’s awful 😕

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My Favorite Things's avatar

It was! I thought that people would appreciate that others cared about their children and wanted to protect them from the harsh realities of life. But they just wanted to come in and grab their stuff and go. I think they felt like people that donated stuff were just to be taken advantage of. I don’t know quite how to explain their attitude. I wasn’t the only volunteer that noticed it. Whenever someone does something nice for me or my family, I try to let them know that I appreciate their kindness and thoughtfulness.

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RunningLogic's avatar

Unfortunately when people expect it as their due, this is the attitude you get 😕 My mom participated in a nonprofit that rehabbed houses and rented them to low income people. Some of the people just who had all of their rent paid for just trashed the place 😕 It’s very disheartening.

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RJ Rambler's avatar

Nothing teaches gratitude more than going without things that aren't water, meat and veggies, clothing to fit the weather and maybe just a little too thin, and shelter from wind and sun and snow and rain.

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ViaVeritasVita's avatar

Wow! I hadn’t heard that one. But it has all the marks of the truth I experienced. Throughout those years of exposure, I continued (and continue) to believe that “beggars can’t be choosers”. My children’s father was starting/running a high tech business; “salary” was an iffy thing—a paycheck a reason for great gratitude (to be honest—38 years later, that’s still true). Hence, Mama’s sewing machine and the thrift shop.

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My Favorite Things's avatar

I stopped volunteering to give Christmas gifts 🎁 to children because parents felt entitled to them.

People donated bikes and other nice toys. I imagine some of those people did without to make sure kids received their Christmas wishes. I gave out many gifts to parents and none of them said a word of thanks. I was shocked.

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Fre'd Bennett, MAHA's avatar

Our 5 children are all successful adults now.

Way back in the day, we participated in the hedonistic, let's get them all they ever wanted for Christmas. But we came to realize this was misguided.

These days, I'm proud to say that my children who are scattered around the globe, are all my friends. We talk about serious things we laugh about unserious things. but we talk.

Though I did my best as their father, I had no reason to expect that they would turn out so well,. and impress me so much.

Deo gratias.

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Roger Beal's avatar

Fred, you give the credit correctly, where it is truly due.

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Lisa Ca's avatar

😩

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