Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving? Explain your celebration to your children; the original story of the fall harvest celebration that brought together Native Americans and Pilgrims for a feast.
Talk about family traditions and tell stories. If your celebration involves multiple generations or multiple families, talk about traditions, "the good old days," and your own childhood. Stories teach children about life and history.
Put aside differences. Families can be wonderful and enjoyable, but tension and stress are often a part of family get-togethers. Vow to put aside differences on Thanksgiving and focus on the aspects of your family for which you are grateful. While easier said than done, this provides an excellent model for children as they learn about relationships and family.
Talk about your Thanksgiving feast. Talk to children about the food, where did it come from, is it a tradition and how it was prepared. Everyone can share what their favorite food is and why.
Be thankful. Focus on the things you are thankful for; ask everyone at the table to say what they are thankful for or make a list of why your family is thankful.
Share and donate. Thanksgiving is a celebration of sharing and abundance. Develop a tradition of sharing with those who have less and involve children in contributing to a food shelter or other charities. This can help children to be thankful for what they have and learn the importance of helping others.
Create something for Thanksgiving together. Cooking with your children or creating a craft is a great way to celebrate and enjoy family time. Don’t worry if the potatoes have a lump or two—the memory-making experience is worth it.
Have fun. Sometimes children spend long hours at the kid’s table while grown-ups talk. Be sure that family activities and enjoying one another is a top priority on Thanksgiving. Maybe you can start a new tradition like going outside and playing a family game of football, or even creating a Thanksgiving Trivia activity.
For instance, did you know?
A ripe cranberry will bounce.
All turkeys and chickens have wishbones.
Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October.
Abraham Lincoln declared a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1863.
The first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was held in 1924.
We hope you have a safe, healthy, and delicious Thanksgiving with family, friends, and neighbors.
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