The holidays are a magical time for kids, but for parents that magic can get lost in all the hustle and bustle.
Between shopping, cooking and decorating it's easy to lose sight of what the holidays mean and forget to include the kids every step of the way.
Plus, a lot of us moms want everything to be perfect, so we tend to look at our kids "help" as more of a hindrance and that's a mistake.
Involving your kids will give them a sense of tradition and also teach them that holidays are more than just presents and good food (although those are 2 great reasons to celebrate).
So, with Thanksgiving just a week a way this is the perfect opportunity to get your kids to help you get ready for the big family feast and also educate them on what Thanksgiving is all about.
Here are some simple things you can do to get your kids into the holiday spirit:
1. Have your kids draw place cards/ thank you notes for everyone that will be coming. Even if it's just grandma and grandpa coming over it is a fun project and the thank you notes offer you a great opportunity to explain why we should be thankful. No, they won't be picture perfect, Martha Stewart-worthy cards, but no one but you is expecting that, so give up a little bit of control and let the kids have some fun. If you really want to be daring you can have them pick some leaves and twigs to color and use for decorations.
2. When your cooking your Thanksgiving meal have your little ones help out (safely) by giving them little jobs, like taking a can out of the closet or counting out how many carrots you need. If they are really small you can just have them sit with you and tell stories about what the value most or tell them the story of the 1st Thanksgiving.
3. Ask everyone in your family to write down on a slip of paper what they are thankful for, then put all of the papers in a bag and have the kids read them out loud. Let them take turns guessing who wrote each one. Older kids can put on a little play or show (during halftime of course!) lol.
4. Have little ones great your guests as they arrive and show them to their seats. It gives them a chance to connect with everyone on an individual basis and teaches them responsibility.
5. Before everyone sits down to eat, say a little prayer of thanks- kids learn by example and this is the ideal holiday to show them the importance of taking the time to say thank you.
In the end Thanksgiving is all about spending time with your loved ones- so relax and enjoy those precious moments. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Between shopping, cooking and decorating it's easy to lose sight of what the holidays mean and forget to include the kids every step of the way.
Plus, a lot of us moms want everything to be perfect, so we tend to look at our kids "help" as more of a hindrance and that's a mistake.
Involving your kids will give them a sense of tradition and also teach them that holidays are more than just presents and good food (although those are 2 great reasons to celebrate).
So, with Thanksgiving just a week a way this is the perfect opportunity to get your kids to help you get ready for the big family feast and also educate them on what Thanksgiving is all about.
Here are some simple things you can do to get your kids into the holiday spirit:
1. Have your kids draw place cards/ thank you notes for everyone that will be coming. Even if it's just grandma and grandpa coming over it is a fun project and the thank you notes offer you a great opportunity to explain why we should be thankful. No, they won't be picture perfect, Martha Stewart-worthy cards, but no one but you is expecting that, so give up a little bit of control and let the kids have some fun. If you really want to be daring you can have them pick some leaves and twigs to color and use for decorations.
2. When your cooking your Thanksgiving meal have your little ones help out (safely) by giving them little jobs, like taking a can out of the closet or counting out how many carrots you need. If they are really small you can just have them sit with you and tell stories about what the value most or tell them the story of the 1st Thanksgiving.
3. Ask everyone in your family to write down on a slip of paper what they are thankful for, then put all of the papers in a bag and have the kids read them out loud. Let them take turns guessing who wrote each one. Older kids can put on a little play or show (during halftime of course!) lol.
4. Have little ones great your guests as they arrive and show them to their seats. It gives them a chance to connect with everyone on an individual basis and teaches them responsibility.
5. Before everyone sits down to eat, say a little prayer of thanks- kids learn by example and this is the ideal holiday to show them the importance of taking the time to say thank you.
In the end Thanksgiving is all about spending time with your loved ones- so relax and enjoy those precious moments. Happy Thanksgiving!!!