While Thanksgiving is a national holiday as well as a historical event that we commemorate, I like to personally take time out to ponder those things in which I am thankful. How can I be thankful each and every day? How can I cultivate an atmosphere of thankfulness in my home? As I am working on this in my own life I hope you will join me.

Here are some ways you can model and teach thankfulness to your child.  Put out a plate of cookies and make some hot chocolate to prove a cozy atmosphere to think, write, create, and share. Grab some lined and plain paper, writing utensils, markers, and crayons. Here we go!

Make a list of the people and things that you are thankful for. Share with each other. Did anyone else have the same ideas as you?

Write a note. Choose one person from the list to make them a card and tell them why you are thankful for them. Mail it! There is nothing like getting a personal note in the mail.:)

Create an acrostic poem out of the word Thanks or Thanksgiving. If you have a young write, partner write. Have your daughter/ son decorate it. Hang up your poems in a place to read often.

Make a thankful jar. Use a decorative jar or have your son or daughter decorate a jar and add slips of paper of what you are thankful for. Pull out a slip each day at breakfast (or dinner time) and talk about what was written.

I’d like to take a moment to tell you that I am so thankful for you! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to read my blog and a huge thank you to teaching your family. Many thanks to those of you who sent me notes of encouragement with my husband’s recent triple bypass surgery and recovery. It meant so much to me and helped when I was feeling discouraged.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Enjoy the holiday in making great memories with your family and friends.

~ Lisa ~