Gratitude is not a self-formed feeling. This feeling must be taught, it must be developed in children. And if the child never says thank you, and takes all the care of the parents for granted, then the time has come to teach the child to thank the parents and experience this very feeling of gratitude.
There is no need to start scolding children and lecturing them that the mother is not a draft horse, that she does everything for them, and does not even hear "thank you" in return. You can be absolutely sure that such appeals to conscience will not be heard by children at all. Therefore, first, you need to start with yourself. And how often does the mother thank the child for the help provided, albeit a little one? If he doesn’t thank him, then it’s time to start developing this habit. And also to thank the spouse for the fact that he, for example, cooked a wonderful borscht, teachers at the school for teaching children the wisdom of life and scientific knowledge, and even a sales assistant in the store for their help and courtesy.
You also need to teach children themselves to help others. Perhaps the parents are helping in the nursing home? This is an excuse to take the child with you. If there is an elderly and lonely neighbor, then you definitely need to buy food for him and help clean up the apartment, involving a child in this. Let him see how important care is and how great it is when it is good for a person, and it is no less pleasant to receive gratitude in return.
If the child has books that he no longer reads and toys that he does not play, then you can offer him to put aside those that are not a pity and take them to the orphanage. And then the child will learn to appreciate what he has - a house, toys, books, textbooks, delicious food and good clothes, and will no longer take it for granted.
It is worth paying attention to the child's nursery. If he has a lot of toys, and they buy him whatever he wants, then from this he will no longer experience joy, but rather satisfaction. Therefore, if the child wants something again, then you need to discuss with him how he can earn for this or that thing, or what to do in order to get it.
If the child really needs this thing, then having done what he agreed with the parents, the child will experience greater joy and gratitude than the parents will buy it for him just like that. You should not reward your child with gifts for success in school or victories in competitions. It is much better to say how parents are proud of their child, and that he is the best for them. If you give gifts for each victory, then in the future, you can get into a hole in debt.
It is necessary to introduce a good tradition every day before going to bed to thank all family members for something, albeit insignificant. Thus, the feeling and the ability to thank does not appear on its own, you need to work on it.
