Attn: Mom – Teaching Your Daughter to Write Thank You Cards

58% of moms say their children write thank-you notes. (http://pressroom.hallmark.com). Are you and your daughter part of the 58% or part of the 42%?

Many of the mother’s I work with tell me that they do indeed send Thank You cards. However, they tell me they often write the notes for their daughter and then have their daughters sign the cards.  If the party girl is old enough to read and write, my question to the Mother is, “Why”?  What kind of lesson does this teach?

My Advice?  Make the effort and take the time to teach your young diva the art of writing a Thank You Card. This simple skill could be so advantageous to her throughout her life. Just think, someday when she’s an adult with a daughter of her own sitting down to write out a Thank You note for some thing or another, she will sweetly think of you and your thoughtfulness to teach her the basics of Thank You card writing.

Thank you card basics:  Who? What? When? Why? How?

Who gave the gift? Address the card to that person.

What did the person give?  Was it a pair of slippers, journal or pajamas?  Thank the person for the specific gift.

When was the gift given?  In this case it will be for Birthday.

Why is the gift giver someone special to you?

How do you plan to use the gift?

Thank you Card Examples from the Club Z Board of Directors (ages 7 – 12):

Example 1:

Dear Ms. Molly Pants,

Thanks so much for the fuzzi house shoes you gave me for my birthDay. You are such a cool freind to be so nyce.  I can’t wait to wear the cozy, cuddly slippers every night.
You Rock,

Anne

Example 2:

Dear Casey,

Thank you for the puppy dog pj’s for my birthday. I’m so glad you came to my slumber party. I had so much fun staying up all night long with you.  I will wear my new jammy’s every night.

StA kEwl,

Phoebe

Example 3:

Dear Isabell,

Thanks for the polka dot duffel bag for my Birhtday.  You are my BFF and will be 4ever. I can’t wait to take my new bag on vacation with me.

XOXOXO,

Katelynne