Beyond "Thank You": Teaching Kids Real Gratitude This Holiday Season

Clinical psychologist Lisa Damour has urgent advice for parents this holiday season. She says we must teach children more than just good manners. Damour spoke to CBS News 24/7 about moving beyond forced "thank yous." Real gratitude, she explains, is a deeper emotional skill. Parents can start by modeling gratitude themselves. They should verbally appreciate everyday things, like a warm meal or help with chores. Another key step is to have children actively participate in giving. This could mean helping to choose a gift for a sibling or baking cookies for a neighbor. The goal is to shift a child's focus from what they *get* to the thought behind the gift. Damour suggests asking, "What does this tell us about how much they care about you?" This approach builds genuine thankfulness. It transforms holiday receiving into an opportunity for emotional growth.