Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Teaching Thankfulness

We were sitting at dinner, talking about the importance of manners. With Christmas fast approaching, I wanted to remind the kids again about how to be a cheerful giver and a cheerful receiver, even if the gift is not what they want.

We role played a couple of things that we could say to a gift giver, "Thank you so much for this ice scraper! I can use it to help Mommy and Daddy!" "Thank you for the sweater with the colorful reindeer and the Christmas tree on it. It was so nice of you to think of me!"

I reminded them that no matter what, we are to be thankful for the gifts we receive, as someone put thought into them and we do not ever want to hurt people's feelings.

Emma chimed in, "But mommy, what if someone gives me a head for Christmas? And I have to take my head off to use it? Do I still have to be grateful and nice and say thank you?"

OK, we are to be be thankful for most gifts. Severed heads are an exclusion.

2 comments:

TheOldestStudent said...

When I give them their gifts next Wednesday, I'll be listening for the practiced "Thank you"s. ;)

DJan said...

Kids say the darndest things! (That was a saying from an old show, but that question brought it immediately to mind.) I sure wish I had been given such training in Christmas etiquette! Your kids are very fortunate.