When I was growing up, I hated that my mom made me write
thank-you notes for EVERYTHING!!! I'm wondering if I wrote thank-you notes for Thank-you notes I received! She always told me how important they are and were - somewhere in the back of my mind I retained this bit of teaching.
Now as a Mom, I've done the very same thing! We started teaching our children at a young age that "tradition of appreciation" was something required. I can't say that it was all easy, and a lot of times we composed their messages for them until they could write well. There have been times that this was allowed to slide - whether by the lack of time/excuses of the mother (me) or the seemingly busyness of time.
We've put our own twist on this: The gift may not be
played with or used until a Thank-you has been written for it. It stays on the kitchen table (if possible), at that person's place at the table, until they have written a thank-you for it. I have seen our kids as they are growing older sit down to write thank-yous on their own and that just makes my day. They've written thank-you's for everything from games, bologna (our youngest gets this from a good friend who knows he loves it smoked), gift certificates, clothes, and sometimes just time spent with them (to the zoo, letting them drive, tickets to a game) etc.
I hope this will follow them as they continue to grow, graduate, marry, have their own children. It is not often these days that people receive a thank-you for gifts/time given - it seems to be a lost art, but we're starting with our family to instill the value of Thankfulness.
** Please note, that if my kids have received something from you and have not received written a thank-you, it was not because they were not taught... but we're certainly trying!
When I was growing up, I hated that my mom made me write thank-you notes for EVERYTHING!!! I'm wondering if I wrote thank-you notes for Thank-you notes I received! She always told me how important they are and were - somewhere in the back of my mind I retained this bit of teaching.
Now as a Mom, I've done the very same thing! We started teaching our children at a young age that "tradition of appreciation" was something required. I can't say that it was all easy, and a lot of times we composed their messages for them until they could write well. There have been times that this was allowed to slide - whether by the lack of time/excuses of the mother (me) or the seemingly busyness of time.
We've put our own twist on this: The gift may not be 
This is such a great post! I, too, had it drilled into my head that it was essential to write Thank You notes.
ReplyDeleteAs a mom, I started my daughter off with the fill-in-the-blank notes (Dear *blank*, Thank you for *blank*, etc.), and gradually moved to the regular ones that required some thought. I still have to stay on her a bit to ensure they are sent in a timely manner, but she does a great job! I can't wait to show her your post:) There may be eye-rolling!!
I think thank yous have become a lost art. I can remember my brothers and I sitting at the table after Christmas writing our thank yous. She also made sure we responded with thank yous to every gift. I loved doing it but my brothers hated it. I too, have taught my children about the importance of thank yous. It reall means a lot to the sender. I love your post.
ReplyDeleteI think that is a great idea! My older little one is only two so she is still a little young for thank you notes, but I will keep this suggestion in mind for when she is older.
ReplyDeleteLOVE that you do thank yous. I really have a terrible nagging feeling if thank yous are not completed in a timely manner as well. I may be adopting that technique of no playing until a thank you has been written. By the way, thank you so much for your words of encouragement in my tutoring experience. I am going to need them.
ReplyDelete