Model behavior

Want appreciative children? Show them what “thankful” looks like

By Lynne Mulligan

This column usually includes ideas for seasonal activities you can do with your children. But during this month of Thanksgiving, instead of creating activities that might encourage your children to be thankful, try modeling thankful behavior.
So many of our days as parents are filled with survival—keeping family members fed and clothed, and just getting everyone where they are supposed to be. The day-to-day stuff leaves little time to express thanks for these same family members. How about taking some time this month to notice and be thankful for the precious gifts given to us by our children, and to let them know that we are thankful for them?

Here are a few ideas for expressing thanks:

• Write a note on special paper and put it in your child’s lunchbox.
• Put a note under your child’s pillow at night so she can find it in the morning.
• Tell your child why you are thankful for his presence in your life. Be specific.
• Model the kind of thankful behavior you want your child to use: Say, “Thank you” to those who serve you in any capacity, and also thank your child when she helps around the house.
• Make a special breakfast for your child on a Saturday morning.
• Find an organization or family that your family can “adopt” and do things for during the holidays or throughout the year. Talk about how helping others reminds us to be thankful for all we have.

Remember: Children learn what they see lived. So in this month that reminds us to be thankful, perhaps the best activity to teach your children to be thankful is to be thankful yourself!