The other night we were grabbing a slice at our local pizza place when we noticed a family of four with two young children finish their meal. The parents then said, "Say thank you," and the little kids poked their heads behind the pizza counter and called out, "Thank you!" to the smiling pizza guys before the family walked out.
Teach Your Kids to Say Thank You
"Our kids are gonna do that," we immediately said. Basic manners and especially gratitude are things that we value and want to pass on to our children. One way we do that is with a "gratitude basket" filled with blank torn of pieces of paper and a pen so family members can easily jot down something they're grateful for and throw in the basket. Then every year on January 1st, we go through the basket and take turns reading them.
Cookie has an interview with Betsy Brown Braun, author of "Just Tell Me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents." She answers questions like "Can we really expect a small child to feel grateful?" and "How can we cultivate and 'attitude of gratitude'?" Read the interview here.
Comments (5)
Top Tours
- Layla's Small-but-Stylish Aviary
- Baby Daley's Room-to-Be
- Scarlett's Sensational Secondhand Space
- E's Room
- Belinda's Shared Nursery/Bedroom
Top Posts
Past Events
© 2010 Apartment Therapy
I think that kids learn a lot from just watching their parents as well. If we're not saying thank you or doing other nice things for others than I don't think we can expect more from our children.
Also at a certain age kids do get embarrassed when you tell them to say thank you in front of the person. I whisper in my 4yr olds ear, "did you remember to say thank you?"
view Lizzykewl's profile
Totally agree with Lizzykewl on both points, and just wanted to add that, while encouraging toddlers to say "Thank you" may seem rote at first, at some point they figure out on their own that it's connected to gratitude, and they start saying it genuinely. The first time my little guy spontaneously said "Thank you" -- and really meant it -- was an awesome parenting moment.
view TammyE's profile
My 22 month old son still doesn't talk so we taught him sign language - his first sign was thank you! He also says please when he asks for something.
view Kerstin's profile
We teach our daughter to say Thank You. I like to think she means it. If she says it without meaning it? Well, I guess she's just prepared to be an adult, then...
view Kaz's profile
i agree with everything everyone's saying. My husband and I make it a point to say please and thank you to our children (even our 8 month old) and let me tell you, it feels unnatural and awkward at first, but my older son caught on and often says his magic words without prompting. I don't say this on a soapbox, but just a gentle reminder that children are smarter than we think.
view selena's profile