Thank You Notes – Why Good Manners Are Always in Style

Do you get your children to write thank you notes? While they might relish the thought of writing thank you notes about as much as a trip to the dentist, it’s worth teaching our kids that thanks and appreciation cost nothing and mean a great deal.

It’s never too early to start teaching our kids good manners. Kids might groan at the prospect of sitting down and writing a thank you note so it often helps to explain why a thank you note is important. Someone took time out of their day to choose a present, purchase it with their own money, wrap it, choose a card and send it. A simple note thanking the gift giver for their time and present is appreciated. And if the present was sent by mail then the giver can know that it arrived.

For very young children a colorful crayon drawing makes a lovely gesture, especially when accompanied by a photo of the child playing with their new present. Beginning writers can practice their writing skills and even jazz it up with glitter, stickers, drawings – make it fun! For older children a thank you email is perfectly acceptable. But make sure they respond in a timely manner – not too long after!

Sometimes it’s easier to write a thank you note when your child loves their gift. But it’s just as important to say thank you, even when they don’t like it. Not all gift givers are mind readers, and it’s important for kids to learn social courtesies.

In fact, encouraging gratitude in our kids from a young age has important social, mental and physical benefits. Psychologist Dr Jeffrey Froh says, “grateful people, compared with their less grateful counterparts, tend to be happier and more satisfied with their lives, less envious and materialistic, in higher quality relationships, in better physical and mental health, more prosocial and generous, and more resilient.”