The Gift of Gratitude: Why Saying “Thank You” is Important

By: Ebony Sonnenberg.

With the holiday gift-giving season all but over, there is one more gift that we can afford to give our daughters right now. It is the opportunity to say, “Thank you.” Sending these note cards have long-since been a tradition in many homes. It can be quite a task for a young child to sit and recount their blessings and put them on paper for a friend or relative, and there are many bits of advice as to how this can be made in to a fun activity. Like many of the ‘chores’ children are given, there is a benefit to each assignment.

What Writing Thank-You Notes Teaches Your Daughter:

1. Learning Contentment.

When children are taught to appreciate what they have, there is a lessened need to want everything they lay their eyes on. Playing with their new gifts reaches a new level of fun when they can pay attention to what is right in front of them. For girls especially, this virtue is one that cannot be overemphasized. Young girls who learn contentment are less likely to rely on others for their sense of well-being.

2. Caring for Others.

Saying a simple “Thank you” sure can brighten someone’s day. Putting that sentiment on a note card makes it a permanent expression of that appreciation. When children are taught to value others’ feelings, especially when time and/or money are involved in the gift, it elevates the gift giver to a place of higher importance than the gift itself. We’ve all heard the expression, “It’s the thought that counts,” and usually, it’s what should be counted first.

3. Loving to Give.

Everyone loves to get a gift meant just for them. As children learn to grow in their ability to convey feelings of gratefulness, they will also develop into little givers themselves. Possessing a feeling of contentment and caring for others in combination will lead your thankful children to want to share these treasures with others.

It doesn’t happen overnight, and may certainly not seem like these qualities are developing as quickly as you’d like, but as you keep your children in the practice of showing gratitude they in turn will one day shock you with a voluntary note card or tiny little heartfelt gift of your own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ebony Sonnenberg is a nomadic military spouse and the busy mother of 3. As the oldest of 4 girls, and first in a healthy line of granddaughters, she has developed the ability to decipher the language of females and can translate when necessary. Having attended college off and on for the last 12 years, she has studied a broad variety of subjects that have successfully provided training for the roles of professional people watcher and opinion giver. Ebony has granted herself a PhD in Reality, and enjoys writing about family life, hobbies, movies and travel. You can read more at her blog: www.sonnetbird.blogspot.com

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