Joanna Fortune: My teenage daughters barely said thanks for all their Christmas presents 

I was shocked by their lack of gratitude, and said as much to them, but they just shrugged their shoulders and sloped off. Have I spoiled my children for life?

Christmas is a hotbed of tensions. We invite our children to write a list of things they want, and we then ensure Santa can fulfil all (or as many as possible) of those wants. They grow up with this experience and develop the expectation they can issue a request and be entitled to have it met. Picture: iStock 

My two teenage daughters couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas, with lots of gifts from Santa and relatives. They just about said thanks and barely cracked a smile. I know it’s probably a phase, but I was shocked by their lack of gratitude. I’ve said as much to them but they just shrugged their shoulders and sloped off. Have I spoiled my children for life?

It’s critical we teach our children how to feel and express gratitude because it helps counter entitlement, fosters appreciation, and places value on the gift-giver’s efforts. Our children learn by seeing us, and then mirror our behaviours and actions. Modelling gratitude is far more effective than demanding it.