Jennifer’s heart raced as she found her son Alex sobbing in her mother-in-law Margaret’s living room. Margaret claimed to teach Alex gratitude by throwing away his beloved toys, but Jennifer knew there was a better way. Determined to make her point, Jennifer planned a lesson Margaret would never forget.

“Jennifer, you spoil him with too many toys,” Margaret often said. Today, Jennifer decided to stay calm and keep her cool.

When she arrived, Alex was crying. “What’s wrong, sweetie?” she asked. Margaret snapped, “I threw away his toys. He needs to learn gratitude.”

Jennifer hugged Alex and said, “Margaret, it’s one thing to have opinions, but hurting Alex isn’t the way.” She glanced at Margaret’s fine china collection.

“Respect and gratitude are important,” Jennifer continued, “but they aren’t taught through cruelty. You threw away his toys, so I’ll teach you a lesson.”

Jennifer packed Margaret’s everyday dinnerware into a box. “Stop, Jennifer!” Margaret demanded. Jennifer replied, “Just because Alex didn’t play with the car immediately doesn’t mean he’s ungrateful. You wouldn’t want someone to throw away your precious china, would you?”

Margaret’s eyes filled with tears. Jennifer said, “Alex needs love and understanding, not harsh lessons.”

A few days later, Margaret returned with Alex’s toys, apologizing. “I realize now that just because something isn’t used often doesn’t mean it isn’t cherished.”

Jennifer accepted the toys and handed back the dinnerware. “Thank you, Margaret. Sometimes, we must teach through love and patience.”

Margaret nodded, tears in her eyes. “Thank you for helping me see that.”