Why Belle Training Needs to Start Early

My daughter gave her nieces, the bellerina czars, their own personalized stationary for Christmas. True, they’ll both need their mama’s help to pen a note, but you can’t start a belle’s thank you note training too early. I doubt you’ll be surprised to learn that it also reminded me of a story…

I remember when my friend, Julia, ordered her kids personalized thank you notes. She was hoping it would encourage them to write their thank you cards to their aunts, uncles, and grandparents— without her having to wart them about it. Not quite.

“I have worn us all slap out trying to get the kids to express their written appreciation, “Julia whined. “Well, not this year. I told ‘em they had until the end of January to write thank you notes for their Christmas gifts. After that, I promised to confiscate any gift that hadn’t been properly acknowledged!”

“Nothing like a good old-fashioned threat,” I said. “But really, Julia, I’m impressed. I always made sure my kids thanked their relatives, but I didn’t make them send written notes, at least not for Christmas. Seriously, I admire you.”

Julia sighed, “Thanks,” she said, “I suppose I’m turning into my mama. It was always a big deal with her when I was growing up and even though it made me crazy then, here I am doing the same thing. I consider writing a nice thank you card to be an acquired talent and my two are gonna learn how to write a proper card if I spend my last breath harassing ‘em about it.”

Before I could respond Julia giggled. “Boy, have we had our moments. I remember once when Savannah wrote her Aunt Polly a thank you note after her birthday. Fortunately, Polly has a sense of humor. Savannah had mailed it off before I could proof if, but later Polly showed it to me on the side. “Dear Aunt Polly,” it read. “Thank you for sending the mirror and comb set. I’ve always wanted one, only not so much.”

Hugs, Shellie