The Thankful Campaign: Thankful Tips from Dads & Moms

As part of The Thankful Campaign, we are asking our Facebook followers, Dad E-mail™ subscribers, and blog readers to "Talk Back" by answering a weekly question on the topic of thankfulness. This week we asked you to tell us how you're teaching your children to be thankful. We received a lot of great tips and advice on our Facebook page! Check out these suggestions from dads and moms on raising thankful kids:

• The last few years have been extremely tough for us financially and we have had to do without a lot of things we had gotten used to. One time our children were getting discouraged and making statements like "we don't ever get to do anything anymore!" So we took them on a driving tour of a local homeless camp. No matter how bad you think you have it, there are many, many people who have it worse!
• Since she's only a year old, we're teaching Morgan to say thank you when someone gives her something (food, toys, etc...), but we'll certainly work on the other thanks as she gets older. She seems to be getting the idea so far.
• As for me and my wife we've got 3 kids, 10, 8, and 5, we try and teach them to be thankful by showing them that the things they have are a blessing being that we both work and still find it hard to survive. There are many people in the world that have nothing.
• I have been working with my children about saying thank you, even for the small things. Though they may not "get it" yet at such a young age, they will know about it, and I feel that they are slowly starting to understand the importance.
• By telling them to put God FIRST, talking and explaining morals. Hardwork and patience never grow old. Lastly, I ask them to think about their actions before they act so that the end result is positive and something they can be thankful for.
• To put Jesus first! And get them to watch the news! The news usually has a humbling story and point it out to them!
• Lots of the things already mentioned, plus we insist on them saying please and thank you for things. Also at Christmas, they usually get 1-2 gifts and then we give toys or a donation to a local charity.
• Encouraging my little one to say thank you is something I always do, but when she is a little older I would like to include her in some volunteer efforts.
• I tell my three boys, ages 5, 3, and 1, that I love them very much every single day, several times a day. I show them by example to love God and all his creations. Lastly,we do everything together--pray, eat, have fun, read and learn...
• We give thanks to God before eating a meal. The children started volunteering at an early age at church and helping out at home.We believe that when children are taught to be of service to others at an early age it teaches them to have grateful hearts.
• Children often learn by example so when it comes to teaching them to be thankful, the most important thing I can do to help impart these values is through being a good role model in that regard.

Stay tuned for next week's "Talk Back" question in the Dad Email™.

Also, check out our 5 Tips for Raising Thankful Kids.