Her smile was contagious. My daughter was grinning from ear to ear when she came home from school today, as she was carrying a loot bag of tiny toys and candies. As she was rambling on about how fun her classmate’s birthday party at school was, she suddenly frowned. She said Peter (not his real name!) didn’t say thank you when she handed him his birthday present.

Saying “thank you” is a big thing for my daughter. Ever since I can remember, I have drilled the importance of saying “thank you”, through my kids’ skulls. I have always reminded them that letting other people know that you are grateful for whatever they have given or done for you bring you one step closer to heaven. Luckily, I’ve succeeded. And I’m one proud- and thankful- mom.