The holidays are a great time of year, but can also be extremely stressful when you have young children. Here are a few ways to make this Thanksgiving just a little bit easier:
Try to stick to the sleep schedule
This may seem like an impossible task if you have a long drive or a plane to catch on Thanksgiving, but I recommend doing your best to stick to your child’s normal sleep schedule. They can take their nap in the car or in a pack and play at a relative’s house. Maintaining routine as much as possible will help prevent your toddler from becoming an overtired scream machine by dinner.
Prepare them for the day
Get your children excited about the holiday! Tell them about any fun family traditions you have and how excited you are to see everyone. Let them know who they will be seeing, where they will be going, and try to avoid any major surprises the day of.
Set boundaries with family
It’s not uncommon for younger generations to have different parenting techniques than their parents or grandparents. Before arriving for Thanksgiving, it could be beneficial to you and your toddler to set some boundaries. For example, if you don’t like your child being told to clean their plate or give hugs when they don’t want to, let others know. Yes, this can be a tense conversation if you have highly opinionated family members. But if you feel strongly about holding these boundaries with your kids, it is best that you mention it to anyone who may unintentionally break them.
Have lots of activities available
Whether you’re traveling or hosting Thanksgiving, make sure you have a lot of activities on hand to entertain your little ones. If you want to make it through dinner without constantly hearing a toddler screaming your name, I recommend setting them up with an activity table. Put out Thanksgiving themed crafts, sensory bins, toys, and anything else that will keep them busy. Even if they are eating at the same time as you, have something on hand to give to them when they get bored.
Pack extra food
Although you might already have way too much food, bring more for your kids. Toddlers like options, especially picky eaters. A lot of traditional Thanksgiving food is unfamiliar and they may not feel comfortable eating it. A backup meal or easy snacks like pouches can be lifesavers.
I hope these tips help make your day go a little smoother, happy Thanksgiving!
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