Perhaps because I didn't always do a good job myself, I am a stickler when it comes to having the kids write thank you notes. I don't think my own parents stressed it enough when I was a kid. I'm hoping that by starting early, writing thank you notes become as ingrained as please and thank you. (Although the kids still need some help with their pleases.)
As soon as our kids can hold a crayon, they participate in their own thank you notes. Riley will just color. These days Megan usually draws a picture and at the very least sign her name. As she gets more comfortable with writing, she will often ask us to spell words so she can write them herself. If she wants to write something long or more involved, Bryan or I will elect write it for her as long as she signs the card.
We did try an experiment where we let her do a video thank you note:
As you can see, it was less than a success.
I try to make sure that thank notes are written within a few hours of the gift being opened. And we also try to make sure that she doesn't open too many gifts on a given day. Otherwise it gets to be too much for her. Too many new toys/clothes/books at one time can still be a little overwhelming for her. Although with each year she seems to be increasing her capacity.
Riley and I stopped by the post office today on our way to the Y to get some stamps so I could mail out the pile of thank you notes that have been accumulating. If you sent Megan a gift for her birthday, you should be receiving a thank you note in the next 5 to 9 days.
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