Thanksgiving Tradition

I’m sitting my car waiting to pick up my daughter from a sleepover, No phones, no kids running wild, this is a perfect time for me to write. 

I have such extreme contrasts in my life. As does any working mom.  A friend of mine laughed the other day, as we were in deep conversation, talking about life and romance when my kids stormed in from school and in a second I switched over to mommy mode, romance WHO?!? 

I’m thinking of the many different hats all of us moms wear, and how quickly and drastically we can change modes.  Regardless of what monumental professional issues may be going on, when there is a family need, somehow the world stops.  At least mine does.  My family has always been my priority.  That commitment is especially tough lately when I have so many people counting on me in my workspace.  But, I’ve said it before, somehow as mothers we find a way to get it all done, every day we do the impossible. 

This weekend my mom and I took my big girls ice-skating in Santa Monica, it finally felt like the holiday season.  I love Thanksgiving and what it stands for.  Besides all the yummy family favorites, there is a sweet and important tradition that we will share around the table this year.  It’s so easy to get caught up in the chaos of life, but the value of appreciation and gratitude is super important to me, and I believe it breeds more good things.  I will ask my children, to write a letter to each member in our family and list all the things they are thankful for about them.  Shaya who is only 21 months will just enjoy whatever he can put into his hungry little mouth, but we know how he feels, because its written in every smile he gives us.  Imagine if we were all always so excited to see each other!

I will do the same exercise for everyone in my family.  Writing down all my favorite qualities that everyone in my family possesses will make each of them feel special, and they all are.   I will ask Rain what her favorite things are and write them down for as well. It’s a great way to teach your kids to slow down and look at the special qualities that we all possess.  It also promotes confidence in the ones receiving the compliments.  I am sure many of us have some qualities that we don’t realize are special to someone else.  This is a great exercise for adults too; God knows we don’t compliment each other enough.  Sometimes when Neriah and Sierra are fighting I make them write down 10 things that they love about each other.  Its just brings back some kindness and sweetness. 

Getting ready for Thanksgiving can be stressful.  Try not to forget the beautiful meaning.  Make it one to remember this year and create a keepsake that you can save and look back on.  You never know what people think of you until you ask.