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When should children begin to write thank you notes? Is it appropriate for older children to write e-mail thank you notes? What about faxing thank yous?
One of my favorite topics is thank you notes. As for children, thank you note etiquette should start as soon as the child is able to hold a writing utensil, even if their writing is not legible. Start with having them sign their "name" artistic as it may be. The parent can write the message and then help the child write his/her name to personalize the card. The next level is simple sentences expressing thanks and love. From there it continues into longer notes, love letters, or creative poems to special people such as Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles,friends, etc. Any paper is appropriate from school-ruled sheets to pretty thank you notes or stationery. (On a personal note avoid the Thank You note cards from the drug store. Plain note cards would be better.)
The lesson of manners is part of basic training that is to be taught in the home. (Manners and basic civility start in the home.) It is a must for today's society, no matter what gender. I hear, especially from Grandparents, that people feel discounted when they send birthday money or holiday gifts and then they never hear verbal or written thanks. Young people think that people do not care, but they will learn later in life that they do care.
Yes, e-mail thank yous are acceptable. Have your words come from the heart and be enthusiastic! Faxes can be creative with artwork to add flair. Just acknowledge someone's kindness, and it is never too late to send thanks.
Special note: To get children interested in thank you notes, get them colored paper, creative children's stationery, colored pencils, decorative address labels, special stamps [that they have chosen at the post office],and stickers so that they can be creative.
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