Part 2 is You're never too young to...Give and Be Thankful; My kids are not perfect - sometimes they behave in a way that I'm not proud of. But every time that happens I reinforce and remind them of how fortunate they are. They have grandparents who still have the energy to take them to the park - or at least pretend to.  Because I know - how tired they really are. So please kids - listen to your grandparents, give them a kiss and say "hello", hold their hands crossing the street, don't chase after the ice cream truck! It's hard for them to keep up. Those times with grandparents are moments that will forever be cherished - appreciate them.  Value them. Treasure them. Share and Donate-

• Have children share and donate their toys. Let them decide which toy they want to donate or maybe sell at a garage sale. Just so you don't part with something that is meaningful to them.  Money from the garage sale can be donated to the charity of your child's choice - the hospital he was born in, the school she attends, the neighbourhood library.
• Show them the value of giving to others who don't have as much toys as they do. How happy another child will be.
• Donate used books to the school library.  Our school excepts toys for the junior kindergarden class.

Acknowledgement -

• Have your child show appreciation and thanks.  Children can write thank you cards for gifts, thank you note for the crossing guard, the wading pool attendant that watched them swim all summer.  Let them drop it in the mailbox or hand-deliver.
• Words - words do mean a lot.  Remember "Thank You", "Please", "I love you" - it always makes the receipent feel so much better.

At any age, we should always be thankful. Our country -We live in an amazing country with so many choices.  With amazing teachers and healthcare workers. Our family and friends- that bond of love that gives us strenght and support -  unconditionally. Our neighbourhood Ice Cream Man - who makes everything better.  Oh, the power of ice-cream!