Contentment is a state of happiness and satisfaction. This is a trait that no one gives you as an adult; you imbibe it. Children can only take on this trait when they see what their parents do.
 
If your child sees that you are content, then he will try to emulate you. You can lead the way by setting limits for yourself and thereby serve as an example for your child.   For instance, you can cut down on the number of dresses you buy or the number of fizzy beverages you drink.
 
When your child sees that you set limits for yourself in whatever you do, he or she will also develop that habit. It is okay to tell your child that sometimes you struggle to hold yourself back but demonstrate that you choose to be content.
 
Thus, as a parent, ensure you practice gratitude. Being grateful is the best way to feel content. Gratitude helps us focus on what is good in our life rather than what we lack. Being grateful for possessions and positive experiences can instill a greater sense of happiness and satisfaction. You can start by teaching your child to be thankful for the positive experiences he or she has every day.
 
Make it a duty to celebrate small wins and events; small progress on any front could be shared with every family member. Big successes come our way once in a while, but small accomplishments are more common. Focusing on them will help your child to experience contentment more often and increase motivation.
 
Always give to others as the act of giving promotes the feeling of contentment. Teach your child to always share whatever he or she has with those around him or her. This way he or she will also learn to connect and empathise with others.
 
Teach the value of money too. Let your child understand how much things cost and how difficult it is to earn money. You can make him or her understand this by asking him or her to do small chores around the house and paying him or her small sums of money in return for his/her efforts. It will also help him or her learn to be content with what he or she has.
 
Teach your child to have a volunteering heart as being able to serve someone else helps one to look beyond oneself, and this will go a long way when it comes to contentment.
 
Let your child also know the value of money; he or she needs to learn what things cost and that money doesn’t grow on trees. He or she needs to learn the lesson of being responsible and trustworthy with money.
 
Don’t let your child have everything he or she wants. Saying no doesn’t make you a bad, mean or uncool parent. It is often the most loving action you can show. Instead of giving in to all your child’s desires, saying no at times is part of teaching him or her contentment and setting him or her up for the future.
 
Although learning to be content is difficult for an adult, it is much less so for a child. By teaching your child to be content, you can help him resist greed, make wise choices and prepare him to respect nature and its limited resources.

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