A grateful heart is one of the most valuable assets your kids can develop—but it isn’t a characteristic that’s easy to instill. Teenagers in particular often demonstrate great resistance to the idea of showing genuine gratitude. Don’t let that cause you to back away from this important lesson. Instead, employ multiple strategies.

Begin by expressing your gratitude to God and to your spouse in front of your kids. Showing them is always better than telling them. Be sure to express your thanks to them as well. Greet even the smallest gesture with appreciation.

It’s also important to let your kids see you thanking those outside your inner circle: those, for example, whose job it is to defend the common good—policemen, firemen, and expecially members of the military. With your kids in tow, take time to speak to a person in uniform, thanking that person for his or her personal sacrifices—time with family, physical safety, career goals, and financial gains. If your kids still aren’t getting it, try organizing a yard or odd-job day for the family of a deployed soldier. Make sure they have an opportunity to meet the family personally and learn about their specific hardships.

Still another way to get your point across is to establish pen pal relationships for your kids with active members of the military. This can be done through letters and e-mail correspondence.

You may have to repeat these activities regularly before your kids understand the gravity of what is being done to protect their freedom and ensure their safety, but the result will be a priceless awakening of genuine gratefulness—one that will enhance their relationship with God and others and serve them well throughout their lives.