What does it mean to be thankful?

Growing up, saying thank you and please was drilled into my head. Some of the first words I taught Little Miss were those same two words. But what does it mean to really be thankful?

Teaching our kids manners is one thing, who doesn't want a polite kid? Teaching the meaning of being thankful to an almost four year old (the one year old doesn't count yet) is another story. To attempt this huge feat (in my eyes anything to do with the Little Miss is a huge feat) we created a new tradition in our house.  The "Be Thankful" board.

Our Be Thankful board is a huge board hanging in our living room. Every day each person in our family has to think of something they are thankful for and write it down. Yes, we are only doing this in the month of November (for now).  With little kiddos, you have to start small, but starting is the key to success.  We still try to instill a sense of thankfulness daily year round by being good examples.  We plan on starting a tradition of giving in our house too.  I think Halloween helped to teach me that even at almost four (an age where I personally thought being selfish was just in their nature), a child is happy giving without receiving.

Our giant board was also super easy to make! The most time consuming thing was waiting for the paint to dry!  This little sucker was a $4.95 mirror I found at a thrift store!! It was one of those tall mirrors that belongs on a dresser (you know that style, the one that is no longer cool?). And because those mirrors are "uncool" they are cheap and easy to find! 

Slap a little white craft paint and some (of course) chalkboard paint on that sucker and you have a giant board for all seasons. Thanksgiving? It's a thankful board. Christmas? Countdown, advent calendar, card holder, and on!! To say I'm excited over this project is an understatement! It also has a home on a wall that I plan on making into a big gallery wall, and this project totally kick started that project (because as I type this, it looks kinda silly being the only thing on that poor wall).

Teaching thankfulness is something that doesn't happen in a single month, for anyone. But a daily reminder right now as we enter into a holiday of gift giving (both kids have winter birthdays) is something I'm excited to start with my family, even if one of them was only thankful for "lions and giraffes" today. 

~enjoy

xo Stacie

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