We have spoken that gratitude helps with depression.  It's hard to be depressed and sad if you are really grateful.  Teaching our kids gratitude is valuable for that reason but it also is good manner Raising Grateful Children Project at THE UNIVERSITY of NORTH CAROLINA at CHAPEL HILL http://hussong.web.unc.edu/drrl/rgc/ What we NOTICE in our lives for which we can be grateful How we THINK about why we have been given those things How we FEEL about the things we have been given What we DO to express appreciation in turn Here are some tips: 1) You need to be grateful - You need to verbally express it, show it, and really mean it. 2) Teach them the value of Thank You - This means saying it, writing a thank you note, or even doing something for someone else as a thank you. 3) Give back - encourage generosity...donating time or effort to those less fortunate or even just helping someone who needs it.  They can help others at school...it can simply be being a friend to someone that may not have friends. 4) They participate in purchases - if they want something, they need to buy it or earn something to get it. 5) Start a gratitude journal - have them right it down daily 6) Travel - see places different than your own.  If you have the means to travel, showing them other places provides context for how much they have. 7) Have them help - they are part of the family and they need to help around the house.