This post is part of Minimalist Holidays, a series inspired by the idea that you can enjoy the holidays more when you do less.
Thanksgiving is famous for the meal. But when I was a kid, Thanksgiving was famous for the wait before the meal. It seemed like the grownups fussed over the food and table setting forever before the Big Turkey Reveal.
Sure, you could distract your kids with a few Thanksgiving printables and a box of crayons, but there's a bigger opportunity here. This year, involve your kids in the actual work of Thanksgiving.
When you give kids real, meaningful jobs to do, they become more invested in the celebration -- and the joy -- of Thanksgiving. I believe this is true for any special occasion, and, indeed, at home day-to-day.
Not only will you educate your kids about real-world stuff (how to set a table, how to make Dad's famous sweet potatoes), you'll help them build confidence in their own growing abilities. My daughter feels pretty proud when she sets a beautiful table, knowing she's earned the family's admiration and gratitude.
I'm not saying kids necessarily like doing the work. Few kids do, and that's okay. The payoff is the shared goal, the working together, and (yes) having more hands on the big job of pulling off the Thanksgiving meal. Chances are the cooking, setup and cleanup happen over several days, so they'll have plenty of open time to play with their cousins, watch movies, and sneak spoonfuls of Cool Whip.
In the meantime, give them a job. When dinner is finally served, everyone will feel the pride of having pitched in.
Here are some ideas for kid-sized Thanksgiving jobs. Choose a good fit age- and interest-wise:
Learning to break down a large project into doable chunks is a skill that will serve kids well (think: Science fair, term paper and, oh, life). Sit down with your kid and plan out the menu. Then take it a few steps further:
You'll probably go on more than one shopping run for Thanksgiving supplies -- bring your kid along. He'll learn about comparison shopping, ingredients, and he'll start getting excited about the festivities.
Oh, the cooking. There are a million small and big ways kids can help. Thanksgiving is a great holiday for kids' cooking as so many traditional recipes are simple. Cranberry sauce, for example, or mashed potatoes or pumpkin pie (especially if you use a ready-made crust).
On the Parent Hacks Facebook page, both Brystal and Daria tell me that they volunteer to make the pies every year...specifically because the kids can practically make them by themselves.
Decorating doesn't feel like a job, especially for kids. If you've got crafty or aesthetically-interested kids, put them to work making the table look pretty. Decoration can be as simple as construction paper placemats in Fall colors, colorful leaves/twigs/berries from the yard, and a few tea light candles.
Let the kids do the actual table setting, too. If the job is too big, just have them fold the napkins or set out the silverware...anything to get them involved.
Some more ideas:
Being a gracious host (even to your extended family) is a skill kids need to learn. Give them an informal script to follow if necessary.
What goes down (the hatch) must be cleaned up. I'm not suggesting hard labor in the kitchen, but I do think kids need to be responsible for clearing their dishes and helping with the cleanup. (Motivation spin: the sooner the table is clean, the quicker the dessert comes out.)
Older kids, especially, can be expected to take a shift in the kitchen, especially when it's framed as respectfully giving older family members a break.
* * * *
What do you think? Is involving kids in Thanksgiving preparation a good idea...or should we just let them play?
Which kid-friendly jobs do you delegate during Thanksgiving?
* * * *
Between now and the end of the year, Christine Koh and I will share ideas for simplifying the holidays so you can focus on whatβs important: enjoying the season with your family.
Visit the Minimalist Holidays page for links to the entire series.
COMMENTS: 1 Tweet
If you like Parent Hacks, you'll love Asha's book (with co-author Christine Koh), Minimalist Parenting: Enjoy Modern Family Life More By Doing Less.
Pre-order it today at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your favorite local bookstore.
Want to know more? Watch the trailer and sign up for free activities and updates at the Minimalist Parenting website →
We close comments after a month to guard against spam. Want to talk about this hack? Join us on Twitter and Facebook!
Previous hack: Terry washcloths stand in as everyday table napkins (and more) Next hack: Best of Parent Hacks: Thanksgiving
↑Go to: Parent Hacks Home Page
Make room for remarkable!
Minimalist Parenting: Enjoy Modern Family Life More by Doing Less, my new book with Christine Koh, is now available for pre-order at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your favorite local bookstore.
Watch the book trailer and sign up for free updates and activities at the Minimalist Parenting website →
Here's why pre-ordering is such a big help →
Sign up now for MinCamp, the free, fun, 14-day companion workshop to Minimalist Parenting that will jump-start your progress on managing your schedule, decluttering your home, simplifying mealtime, and finding time for yourself.
Find out more →
Help support Parent Hacks with the shopping you're already doing!
When you start your Amazon shopping here -- no matter what you buy -- you throw some change into our tip jar.
The next time you're shopping for a gift or for yourself, click over to Amazon from Parent Hacks. Use this Search box or click any other link from here to an Amazon product. Then shop as usual! Thank you!
Read about my ONEMoms trip to Ethiopia in October 2012. Then become a member of ONE yourself! ONE will never ask for your money, only your voice. And one voice matters. I've seen it firsthand.
I love this idea and want to do it. Like a huge slacker, I ordered most (ok, all) of our food from Whole Foods and it will be made for us. I better bring a kid with me to pick it up, plate it, and serve. And we'll still have clean up jobs. Thanks for the kick in the butt.
Posted by: RookieMom Heather | 20 November 2012 at 10:52 AM