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4 Ways Kids Can Show Kindness and Gratitude To Helpers (Plus a Downloadable Thank You Note!)

Family LifePost Category - Family LifeFamily Life - Post Category - Domestic HelpersDomestic Helpers

Gratitude is a core value we should teach our children from the start; here are four ways your kids can express gratitude to helpers

Much like mindfulness, gratitude is quite the buzzword these days. But it’s not just fluff: heaps of research shows that it has real, tangible benefits on both our mental and physical wellbeing, from boosting empathy and self-esteem, to improving how we sleep and even how we perceive aches and pains.

Gratitude can protect us from stress and depression, and leads to more fulfilling relationships and greater resilience. What parent wouldn’t want all these things for their child? (Not to mention, it’s just good manners to say thank you!) While we of course hope that our children will be appreciative of everything we do for them as parents, in the spirit of Helper Appreciation Month this May 2023, we thought it was a great time to share four easy ways kiddos can express gratitude to their helpers.

As parents, it’s incumbent upon us to teach our children empathy, to imagine how difficult it would be to leave our families behind in another country to go to work and earn money. It’s also important to point out to children how hard helpers work; breakfast doesn’t just magically appear on the table, clothes don’t wash themselves. While it’s certainly important to teach children personal responsibility (and ensure they help out around the house), whatever role your helper plays in your household, make sure she is recognized, and thanked, for her efforts.

To inculcate kindness and gratitude in our children, it’s worth providing specific examples of both what we should be grateful for, and how to express gratitude. Try pointing out to your children specific things that your helper does (while also reminding them to be mindful of the challenges your helper might face, whether learning a new language, or missing her own family).

4 Ways Kids Can Show Gratitude To Helpers

  1. Say “Thank You’ to your helper to show your appreciation.
  2. Show patience when talking to your helper.
  3. Obey your helper when she is relaying instructions given to her by your parents.
  4. Treat your helper with respect and kindness. Share a funny joke, have a meal together, converse with her about her family.

 

Besides simply saying thank you, another fun, hands-on activity to get kiddos thinking about gratitude is writing thank you notes. Click on the downloadable on the left to print out a thank you note with prompts that your child can decorate, personalize, and give to your helper.

 

Read more: The importance of fostering gratitude and reducing entitlement in kids

Lead image sourced via Getty

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