3 Thanksgiving Tips for Blended Families

Blended families often come with many many challenges and the stress of the holidays can only exacerbate them. 

Here are my top 3 Child-Centered Thanksgiving tips for blended families:

COMMUNICATE- Obviously communication is key. With extended family, ex-spouses, and the lot. But communication with your CHILD is paramount. Explaining the day's schedule, who is expected to attend, where you are going, and how long you expect to be there OR how long you expect others to be at your home will help reduce the anxiety that can build up in your child. This is especially true for children under age 6 and those with physical, mental, or behavioral struggles and those that spend the day with newly blended families as there are likely to be a lot of strangers around. Information should come from BOTH biological parents if possible. It is extra comforting for a child if they also know what the parent that they aren't spending the day/weekend with is doing. The more information they have the better. Leave your feelings at the door and be as factual, logical, and loving as possible.

ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS WITHOUT SHAME OR GUILT- All children- regardless of age are entitled to their feelings- whether you like their feelings or agree with them is irrelevant. Respecting their emotions, even negative ones, teaches them respect in return. It shows them that you love and support them unconditionally, and isn't that what we as human beings regardless of age crave the most? If little Sally misses the parent that isn't in attendance or doesn't have custody that day don't take it personally! This isn't about you. Your child loves you too and would probably be crying for you instead if the tables were turned.  Hug her, love her, acknowledge her feelings ("I can see that you miss your Mom and that makes you sad.") and then reiterate your love for her and redirect her attention to something positive. ("I love you and I'm here for you *hugs* and we'll get through this together... let's go see what Grandpa is doing!)

DON'T BE A SLAVE TO THE CALENDAR- Yes, Thanksgiving is nationally dedicated to the last Thursday of the month, but that doesn't mean that your family needs to celebrate it on THAT particular day. It is important that your child(ren) gets to celebrate that holiday with as many sides of the family as possible. If your ex has them on the national holiday, schedule yours the weekend after, before, or a couple days after/before. The holiday is about tradition, family togetherness, and thankfulness- and all 3 can be celebrated on any day of the year.

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These are just a few tips- but I'd LOVE to hear how you celebrate your blended family Thanksgiving as I'm sure other readers would too.. Sound off your tips and traditions in the comment section below! 

and as always... 

HAPPY PARENTING!

-Poppins

Postcard Exchange

Guess what still exists?! SNAIL MAIL POSTCARD EXCHANGES!

I seriously can't think of a more entertaining way to instill a love and appreciation for Geography in your children than this!

This particular one is even GLOBAL!

*It's FREE to sign up
*Your information remains as confidential as you like (but let's face it- you're going to need to give out your address in order to receive some postcards)
*AND you can request up to 6 different addresses to send at a time! So if your anxious to get started that's a good way to go!

Our first one went to RUSSIA!

And to all you fellow Homeschool families out there... this is a GREAT thing to incorporate into your Geography studies! (that's what we are doing!)

HAPPY EXCHANGING!

P.S. Good luck finding postcards! In this digital day and age that might be a bit of a challenge!
{we got ours at a local hotel FYI}

Traditions: New Years Journaling

This is a simple way to keep a journal, and would make a great New Years Resolution

Source: Design Sponge Online

October Traditions - Tasting Party

I LOVE LOVE LOVE fall!

It is my absolute favorite time of year! 

I love the colors! I love the weather! And I LOVE the traditions and holiday anticipation that accompany fall!

Today's tradition idea comes from a fun tradition we've had in my family for baby showers...

a tasting party! 

A tasting party is where you get together with friends and family and sample various food items that usually fall into a category or theme. Everyone either buys or bakes an item from the theme, then you gather together one night and sample all the food and exchange recipes if necessary!
Some great foods for autumn would be:

*Hot Chocolate!- Have everyone bring their favorite hot chocolate and encourage creativity! White hot chocolate, nutella hot chocolate, spicy hot chocolate... the possibilities are endless!

*Bread- There's nothing like home made bread around the holidays! It's the perfect companion to soup and other cold weather food staples making it a great item for a tasting party.

*Cookies- Need I explain this one? Who doesn't love sampling cookies and getting new cookie recipes?!

*Soup- Another autumn food staple. I got THE best ever clam chowder recipe at a soup tasting party... and I don't normally even like clam chowder!

This tradition is a fun one to invite extended family, neighbors, and friends to participate in. It would also make a great girls night!

October Traditions- Halloween Breakfast!

How many of you have stopped to think about how important traditions are? 

Traditions make a family stronger. 

They help build trust 

They create a sense of security.

They build memories

They help us create an identity

They build family unity

So much in our lives these days is temporary, yet regardless of what may happen, your traditions will not change. Family traditions provide something for every person to hold on to and to rely upon. 

My family is HUGE on traditions! 

I once read that you should have at least 1 tradition a month. (bday's count fyi) 

so if you live by that advice, a great idea is to take a piece of paper and label the 12 months. Then write down the traditions you already have established under each month. This will give you a good idea of any large gaps you may have that could use some new traditions. 

When I did this I found a huge gap from March clear until July! That's 5 months!

sooo... to aid you in your quest for traditions I'm starting a "Tuesday Traditions" blog post that I'll post every Tuesday until I decide to quit :)

Today's Tradition Idea:

Halloween Breakfast!

 source

How fun would it be to wake up to THIS Halloween morning?!?! 

Click Here to see it all put together along with a cute poem

Or if you're not big on sugar for breakfast... you could always make some 

pumpkin pancakes!!

source

A themed breakfast or meal is such a "small" tradition in terms of preparation and delivery, yet you can bet that the anticipation and excitement from the kids is going to be equally as grande! And something they will surely look forward to remember for years to come!

Happy Parenting!