Regardless of any disappointments or challenges, our children have surely made us better people: more giving, more patient, more tested and more responsible. Our children have provided lessons that teach us the value of leading a responsible, caring and committed life. Our children have taught us how to love and laugh, cry and stumble, forgive and forget. Our children have humbled us as we've made parenting mistakes, shown hubris or otherwise made poor judgment calls. Because it's our primary responsibility as parents to raise our kids into mature and thoughtful adults, it would be folly to suggest it isn't a difficult and complicated task that can be quite exasperating and trying! But Thanksgiving is a time to demonstrate our thanks and gratitude for the gifts that make our life sweeter. Expressing gratitude for the beautiful memories your children have helped to create, enduring love your children give you and treasured times you share as a family will provide a much more meaningful Thanksgiving holiday. It's been said that 'gratitude makes for a great attitude.' If for no other reason than to stay positive and hopeful during these economically challenging times, use Thanksgiving to transform your holiday into one of blessings, bounty, appreciation and joy. It sounds easy, but expressing gratitude and thanks to those around us -- and especially to our children -- can be difficult. But it's a wonderful gift as well as reminder that our gratefulness begins at home with our own families. So, shower your children with appreciation this Thanksgiving. Let them know how much you value and love them. On that note, I want to take this opportunity to thank my own sons for the countless gifts they've given to me. I am grateful for -- and to -- these two remarkable men who have taught me the real value of a life worth living. Thank you, Adam and Justin, for the laughter and the tears, joys and challenges, for cherished memories and gratifying experiences. Throughout it all, I have become a better person because of both of you. I am thankful to each of you for being so special and so unique. You have offered me more rewards as a parent than I could ever have imagined. Happy Thanksgiving, my two dear sons. And a happy Thanksgiving to all parents everywhere. May your holiday be blessed with the bounties of grace, love and gratitude. Alyssa Martina is founder, president and publisher of Metro Parent Magazine and one of Metro Detroit's foremost experts on parenting. You can reach her at [email protected].