Great Mom Debate: Do You Make Your Kids Write Thank You Notes?
By Charlotte Hilton Andersen
When I was growing up, I never had to write thank-you cards. My nice grandparents were dead, and my mean one only sent me one gift ever-a pair of used granny panties for my 12th birthday. We didn't have any family friends or other relatives who wanted to send me stuff, so I pretty much never had to say thank-you. I know, I was like the luckiest kid ever. But my kids don't share my, er, problem. This past Christmas they each received a gift from their grandparents on each side, and while none of said relatives were present to see the gift-unwrapping joy, the kids could feel the love and thought that went into them. It was awesome. Now, it's two weeks later and my kids still don't have their thank-you cards written. And by "my kids" I mean "me."
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Of course our kids should write thank-you cards. It's good for them to grateful, people enjoy having their generosity acknowledged, and... I know, I know! It's on my to-do list I swear. Here's the thing about thank-you cards: They are a lot of work for the parents. I know I shouldn't complain. But it's a task that's easy to let slide, especially in this day of e-mail, Face Time, and Skype.
First, you have to corral your children. Then, you have to remind everyone what they got while collecting paper, envelopes, markers and other assorted crafty things that I never seem to have on hand. Next, you have to dictate what a proper thank-you should sound like, and then tell your oldest that he is not allowed to copy it word for word and comfort the youngest, who starts crying because the only thing he can write is his name.
After all the histrionics are over, you will see the kids have colored a bunch of random pictures that have nothing to do with thank-you or Christmas or anything except tanks that shoot snowballs. If your child is very young, you can jot something cute over the scribble like "Roo-Roo wuvs her Tots and Nanny!!!" and drop it in the mail. Otherwise, back to step one. Repeat, but this time with more screaming.
I'm exhausted just thinking about it. And yet we'll do it. Although it may be in the same envelope with their Valentine's Day cards.
What's your strategy for thank-you cards? Take our poll!
Do you have your kids write thank-you cards?
- I do them.
- I think a verbal thank-you, phone call, text, or e-mail is enough.
- I think I should and then procrastinate until it's too late and then feel really guilty.
- Already signed, sealed, and delivered! With a cute pic of my kids on the back!
Vote here!
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