Can you remember the first time you told someone ‘Thank You’? No, of course you can’t. Just like you can’t remember your first smile or your first steps when learning to walk. And why did you go to the trouble of learning to walk? Because it was in your nature to do so. You did not want to settle for crawling. Your instincts urged you to stand up. Even so, our instincts tell us we should be thankful for all things.
When we learned how to walk, more than likely we had assistance; someone took our hands and urged us on with encouragement to walk upright. We did not fight it because we had the desire within us to walk.
Likewise, teaching a child to say ‘Thank you’ is simply assisting them to obey their God-given instinct and nature. As children, we need to be encouraged as to how to say it and when. Then, like learning to ride a bicycle, we are going forward on our own. It feels right and it feels good to give thanks, to show gratitude.
In The Thanksgiving Handbook, I encourage folks to keep a journal of the moments throughout the past year that induced feelings of thankfulness in our hearts. It could be an unexpected promotion, or a clean bill of health at the doctor’s office, a close call on the freeway, or as simple as seeing a meteor shower while out camping. These are moments to remember and to share as we gather on our holiday, our Feast Day.
Likewise, children can be taught to write down moments that caused their hearts to feel gratitude for something. Maybe they were given a new puppy, or a new bicycle, or they saw a rainbow for the first time. As parents, we can teach them to write these things down in their own personal journal. When they ask why they should, share with them how it is good to recall the good things from the past, especially when some unpleasant things come into our life. Remembering the good helps to balance our perspective of life. You can then tell them that when Thanksgiving comes, they get to pick three or four things to write down and bring to the gathering so they can share their stories with others.
By including your children in this manner, you are helping them to build an internal memory bank of the good gifts and moments that come into their lives. They will tend to grow up with a sense of gratefulness in their lives which will tend to build a positive attitude of expectancy for each day as they grow into adults.
I have witnessed such children being the ones to remind adults during tough times to remember the past and to be grateful for what they presently have. It becomes a life habit for them and can positively impact those who end up working or living with them down the road as adults.
So, consider starting a Thankful Moments Journal with your child. The rich dividends it might reap could astound you as you watch them grow into positive living adults.
