When our kids are growing up, we teach them to write a thank-you note when people have come to their aid. But gratitude goes both ways. Odds are that you thank your daughter when she does you a favor or gives you a gift.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- How to Thank Your Daughter for All of Her Help or Support
- How to Thank Your Daughter for Just Being Her
- How to Thank Your Daughter a Gift or Nice Note
- How to Thank You Daughter for Everything at the End of Her Life
But when’s the last time you thanked her just for being herself? Here we explore what you can say or do to thank your daughter on an assortment of different occasions—or even for no particular reason at all.
How to Thank Your Daughter for All of Her Help or Support
As parents, we guide and teach our kids. We do our best to protect them and help them when we need it. But our children can be just as much of a support system for us. If your daughter has been a big help to you, here are some ways to show gratitude for her support.
1. “Thank you so much for taking care of me throughout my illness. You’ve taken me into your home and driven me to treatments. You’ve gone above to help me feel safe and taken care of. I know this has been really hard on you, and I appreciate your care and compassion.”
When we become parents, we’re prepared to take care of sick kids. But sometimes, if we experience illness or injury, our children end up taking care of us.
This kind of role reversal can be challenging for both parties. Be sure to thank your daughter for stepping up in your time of need.
2. “I know your childhood wasn’t always easy. After your mom left, you ended up taking on more than your fair share. You provided a lot of stability to your brother and sister but missed out on that yourself. I’m sorry for the ways I’ve fallen short. I just want you to know that I’m so grateful to you.”
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we aren’t the parents our kids deserve. If your daughter’s childhood was less than perfect, it’s never too late to apologize and thank her for her help and understanding.
3. “Thank you for always being willing to have discussions about serious matters with me. I know we don’t always see eye to eye, but I always value your perspective. As parents, we are supposed to teach our kids. But I’ve learned just as much from you. Thank you for being willing to help me grow.”
A lot of times parents believe that they know best because they’ve been on the planet longer than their kids. But teenagers and young adults can be incredibly wise.
Take the time to listen to your kids and thank them for their point of view. They may help shake you out of a rut you didn’t even know you were stuck in.
How to Thank Your Daughter for Just Being Her
Our kids can help us in so many ways. They may help us around the house. They may keep us up-to-date on current events. They may just provide a listening ear and a new perspective in challenging times. Here are some ways you can simply say thank you for being there.
4. “Thank you for being such a patient and empathetic person. You inspire me every day to grow and be better.”
If your daughter has qualities that you admire, be sure to let her know what they are. Highlighting these positive traits and thanking her for them will let her know how appreciated she is.
5. “Ever since you were a child, you’ve been so kind to people who needed it. When other kids were getting picked on, you stood up for them. I see you standing in solidarity with people now, too. Thank you for being such a good person.”
Our goal as a parent should be to raise humans that care about other people. If your kid is always thinking about other people, be sure to let her know how highly you think of her.
6. “I know it’s been very difficult for you to have a brother with health problems. You often don’t get the attention you should. But you never seem to be resentful. I want to thank you for being so understanding with all of us. I also promise that we’ll find a better balance going forward.”
It’s always kind to thank your kids when they are patient and understanding during challenging times. But be sure to reassure them that they don’t have to be patient forever. Sometimes gratitude only goes so far.
How to Thank Your Daughter for a Gift or Nice Note
We often spend a lot of time and money picking out gifts for our kids to make them happy or make their lives easier. A lot of kids don’t necessarily think to return the favor when it comes to their parents, though. It’s easy to take gifts from your parents for granted when you’ve gotten them for as long as you can remember.
But sometimes our kids can really surprise us with a thoughtful gift or gesture. Here are some ways you can thank your daughter for a gift, note, or other kind action.
7. “Thank you so much for the beautiful gift you made for me on Mother’s Day. I will always treasure it.”
When our kids are little, they often make gifts for special occasions at school. It’s one way our educators teach children to express their appreciation for other people. Be sure to continue modeling gratitude by thanking them sincerely and effusively.
8. “I really appreciate the apology letter you wrote to me. I know you were having a bad day. I forgive you.”
Sometimes parents and kids don’t get along. It’s how you handle that conflict that really defines your relationship. If your daughter apologizes for an argument, let her know how thankful you are for the gesture.
9. “Thank you for taking the time to create a family tree. It means so much to all of us.”
If your daughter goes above and beyond creating something special for the family, be sure to thank her. Encourage everyone else in the family to show their appreciation as well.
How to Thank You Daughter for Everything at the End of Her Life
In an ideal world, no parent would ever have to bury their child. But the sad truth is that every year over 100,000 parents must say goodbye to a child too soon. If your daughter is dying, saying goodbye is one of the most painful things you’ll have to go through.
Here are some ways you can thank your daughter for all the joy she brought into your life.
10. “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
It can be hard to be articulate when you’re facing the loss of your child. Sometimes we have to turn to the words of writers and other great thinkers. This quote is from A.A. Milne, who is best known for writing the beloved Winnie the Pooh series. If you love reading these books to your daughter now—or if they were cherished favorites when she was younger—this is a sweet sentiment to share.
If you’re spending a lot of time by your daughter’s bedside, you don’t just have to stick to a quote. You could also read aloud to her. Even someone unconscious or in a coma can benefit from that kind of engagement. You can read something current, or revisit old childhood favorites. It’s a beautiful way to connect and say farewell. It also helps you show your gratitude for the stories you have shared.
11. Make a playlist
You can’t speak to your daughter endlessly at the end of her life. You need to rest your voice, and you also need to give your minds and emotions a break. Playing soft music may be soothing for you both.
You can put together a playlist of special songs. If there were songs you sang to your daughter as a baby, you can include those. If you used to attend concerts together, choose songs from your favorite artists. If your daughter is well enough, you can reminisce about those songs together and thank her for the memories.
12. Read a gratitude journal aloud
Many people keep gratitude journals to document the things they are grateful for on a daily basis. If you’re the journaling sort, you can share your thoughts and memories with your daughter.
When you go through your journals from over the years, you’ll find a wide array of reasons you’ve been thankful for your daughter. Sharing these with her will demonstrate that you have always loved and appreciated her.
Post-planning tip: If you are the executor for your daughter after she passes, it's tough to handle both the emotional and technical aspects of her unfinished business without a way to organize your process. We have a post-loss checklist that will help you ensure that your daughter's affairs are taken care of.
The Importance of Showing Gratitude to Your Children
Our entire lives change when we have children. We do so much to try and enrich their lives and set them up for success. Ultimately, sometimes the best gestures are the simplest. Don’t forget to sincerely thank your children when they help you.
You can even just show them gratitude for being part of your life. Sometimes saying “thank you” is really the best way of saying “I love you.”