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