Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate our families and say thanks for all they mean to us. On the message boards, we as mothers are often sharing our gratitude (and sometimes complaints) about our children. We at W-P thought it would be fun to turn the tables and give our children a chance to share with all of us. This is what they had to say in answer to the question, "I am thankful for my family because…"

I am thankful for my family, because they support me. Whatever I want to do, whether that is sports or going somewhere, they are normally behind me 100 percent. They get me to where I need to be, plus they do it with a smile on their faces. Without my siblings I would be very selfish, so I am very thankful for them; they have taught me many lessons. For example, I am nice to my friends and am able to have many friends, because I have had my sister to deal with most of my life and have learned how to work things out. Most of all, my whole family has taught me to be a leader and to try at everything that I do. For all these reason I am thankful for and love my family. ~ Emily – 14 years

I am thankful for my family, because they gave me a life to have. I am thankful for my siblings, because they can play with me when I'm bored sometimes. Also, I'm thankful, because they feed me and love me to death. And I love them and try to help them out, too. Alicia – 10 years old

They love me and play with me. John – 4-1/2 years

We eat cake and have babies. Marah – 3 years

We cuddle. Keegan – 2 years

We go see Mickey Mouse. Johnny – 3 years

They are all nice. Shannon – 6 years

I am thankful for my family because they keep me safe. Caroline – 7 years

I am thankful for my family, because I feel so loved! I like when I bake goodies and if I mess up mommy knows what to do and daddy knows the scientific stuff mommy doesn't. I am also thankful for my sister Gracie. Someone else almost adopted her, but they were missing a paper to sign and we were not so we got blessed with her. Guess God knows best! I am thankful for Chris, Anthony and Reignah, too! Beccah - 7 years

I'm thankful for my family, because they love me and they take care of me. My mom is a good cook, and my dad teaches me about the computer. Sometimes I wish that Hunter, my baby brother, would learn to talk better and learn to share better and listen better, but he's little and mom says I have to be patient. I still love him a lot, and I'm glad that he's my brother. Someday I hope he will be glad I'm his brother too. Trent – 7 years

I love my family, because they're my best friends. We play games and hugs are nice. We go on nature walks. I squeeze my daddy. Mackenzie – 3 years

About Mama: I love my mama her play toys with me. About Pa: Her fix my robot. About Uncle Adrian (age 10): Her have lots of cars. Cameron – 3 years

Mommy: Seth, are you thankful for your family? Seth: Yes. Mommy: Why? Seth: Ummmm, dough know. Seth – 2 years

I wuv my families. I give you presents mommy for you! Daddy presents for you too. Julianna – 23 months

I am thanksful for my motorcycle, and I love my sisters, and my dad is cool cuz he rides a motorcycle, and I love my mommy cuz she cooks me food. Dylan – 5 years

Morgan who are you thankful for?? Mom, Dad, Emma and "D". Morgan – 2-3/4 years

I am thankful for my family, because I have a nice place to live, people to talk with when I am feeling hurt. Because they love me. I get to spend time with my family, which is nice. Anthony – 13 years

I am thankful for my family, because they are always there when I need help. They are also fun to hang out with. Chris – 15 years

I am thankful for my brothers, because they play with me. Andrew –almost 5 years

I am thankful for my family, because they help me with my problems. Alyssa – 8 years

Because they're nice, and I play with my brother and sister. My daddy loves to play video games for me. Mommy plays with me all the time. Jacob – 5 years

If we don't have parents we won't have anyone to take care of us. Brent – 4 years

I am thankful for my family, because I have a mom and dad. Rachel – 6 years

I am thankful for my family, because someone is there for me when I do stuff wrong, and they help me up when I fall. I have somebody that I can trust, that is real close. Nick - 12 years

I'm thankful for my family because, I wove ya! (Mom: Why do you love us?) Jake: Because I need ya! Jake – 3-1/2 years

I'm thankful for my family because, I love you and like you. (Mom: Why do you love and like us?) Max: Because I like to hug you and kiss you and love you! Max – 6 years

Thanksgiving is such a blessed time, and it is heart-warming to read all the comments from some of our W-P children. If you were not able to participate in the QOTD where we asked moms to pose this question to their children, then we encourage you to ask them sometime this month. Save what they say or write and put it with your child’s keepsakes. As much as you cherish their words now, you will cherish them ten-fold years from now.

Lynette is a wife and stay-at-home mom to three children. She feels completely blessed by her family and daily recognizes what a wonderful treasure she has been given.