Apr 04, 2022

I Will Always Make My Kids Write A Thank You Note

Life is busy, and the notion of getting your kids to sit down and write almost anything can feel downright impossible. But today, writer Jennifer Taber VanDerwerken makes the case for making the time for thank you notes.

She explains that while she doesn’t die on a lot of parenting hills — this is a tough gig for everybody and generally her preferred policy is to keep it moving — she remains absolutely devoted to the institution of the thank you note. Her kids will be writing them: “I fervently and unapologetically believe in the thank you note. If you do something nice for me, you're going to receive one. And I am raising my kids to believe they are a non-negotiable part of being a polite and gracious person.”

She makes a good argument! Picture me looking guiltily at a large stack of blank cards…

— Kelly Faircloth, Executive Editor

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