| Thanksgiving is one day a year when we get | | | | Teach your children to be thankful for the things |
| together to celebrate all the great things we have in | | | | they have by teaching them not to waste food, |
| life. But why should this happen only one day a year | | | | clothes, toys or anything else that many children all |
| when there are things to be grateful for each day of | | | | over the world do not have. Respect is a big part of |
| the year? By showing your gratitude for the | | | | gratitude. Teach your children to appreciate |
| blessings and happenings that occur in everyday life | | | | everything they are given by respecting their |
| you can teach your children a healthy sense of | | | | belongings and the belongings of others. Let your |
| gratitude that lasts all through the other 364 days of | | | | children know that if they don't pick up their toys |
| the year. | | | | then you are going to give them to someone who |
| One way to begin teaching gratitude at a young age | | | | would appreciate them more. They may also not |
| is to teach your children to use the magic words, | | | | realize how lucky they are to have a brother or |
| "please and thank you." They will need prompting at | | | | sister to play with, something you should remind |
| first to know when they should say please or thank | | | | them of when those frequent sibling skirmishes break |
| you, but eventually they will learn to say it without | | | | out. |
| being told. Not only does this teach them good | | | | It's hard for your children to imagine life without |
| manners but it also serves as a foundation for other | | | | some of the things they use everyday. While |
| ways for them to show their gratitude. | | | | gratitude may take on a more simplistic form when |
| As children get older, show them different ways of | | | | they are young, as they get older you should remind |
| expressing gratitude. This may be something like | | | | them of how lucky they are to have the things they |
| making a thank you card for a gift they received on | | | | have. This sense of gratitude can lead to generosity, |
| their birthday. By saying thank you in a creative way, | | | | and they will be eager to share what they have with |
| like making a card, you place gratitude in a positive | | | | people who need it. Starting around the end of |
| light and show your children that it makes them feel | | | | November and continuing through the holidays there |
| good to be thankful. You should also help them | | | | are plenty of opportunities for your children to give |
| understand how even a small act like this can make | | | | back, be it through a clothing or toy drive or helping |
| someone feel really special. One easy way to do this | | | | out at a soup kitchen. These experiences can teach |
| is for your to show them gratitude for something | | | | them lessons they will carry with them throughout |
| they have done for you, this way they will be able | | | | their lives. |
| to experience the feeling of appreciation firsthand. | | | | |