A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues. ~Cicero

As an only child, I remember how much effort my parents put into ensuring that each holiday and special occasion were celebrated in a unique way.  For example, I still associate the smell of rice pilaf with Thanksgiving.  Now that my husband and I have a little boy and a baby girl on the way, we often think about how we can make holidays special and memorable for them.

Because I grew up as an only child, our Thanksgiving celebrations were small and intimate.  On the contrary, my husband enjoyed large family celebrations.  Every year we alternate spending time with his family in the southeast at Thanksgiving.  My son enjoys this opportunity to play with cousins he doesn't usually see.  This multi-generational gathering allows my son the opportunity to spend time with grandparents and great grandparents...something I find to be a rarity these days.  The influence of grandparents and great grandparents on children is extremely beneficial for their relational development.  I am particularly appreciative of the different experiences my son is afforded, including interesting Southern culinary experiences.  Alternating between both of our families allows my son to experience Thanksgiving in two unique ways.

As my husband and I think about how we will make holidays such as Thanksgiving meaningful, traditions are very important. Every year my family spent time writing down and then sharing what we were thankful for that year.  We will continue to practice this with our own children.  As they get older, I want to encourage them to take the extra step to think about those in need.  Rather than spending the day after Thanksgiving fighting holiday shopping crowds, I want to take my children to do something for someone else.  Perhaps donate toys or serve meals or do a craft for someone else together.  Thanksgiving is a time of reflection and I think it's important to continue our Thanksgiving celebration by giving back to someone in need.  

Thanksgiving also prepares us to enter the Christmas season.  Every year, my family spent time making Christmas wish lists.  My husband also practiced this tradition in his family.  As both of our families grow, we have decided to alter this by playing a game where we exchange gifts with one other family member.  While I believe the giving and receiving of gifts is part of the Christmas holiday, I do not think it should be the focus.  Thanksgiving is the perfect time to talk about what our children want for Christmas. However, I think it's just as important to emphasize what they want to give others for Christmas.  

As I think about the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday with my family, I look forward to the comfort of familiar foods and familial togetherness.  I also look forward to the new traditions and memories my husband and I are creating for our children.

About Caryn:

Motherhood…it’s a full of laughter and tears and surprises.  It’s the most wonderful thing I’ve ever done.  What started out as a way to chronicle my son’s first year of life has evolved into Rockin’ Mama.  Because despite the fact that being a mom is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, it rocks!  I’m a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night.  My husband and I savor the warm Southern California sun.  We love to travel…so much so that we spent 8 weeks backpacking Europe before moving to Edinburgh, Scotland where we found out I was pregnant with my son.  I am a babywearing, co-sleeping, breastfeeding mama whose passions include health, fitness, and all things green.  If I’m not running after my 2 year old son…or my husband…you can find me frequenting the local tea room, shopping, baking, or reading. We’re also expecting a baby girl in January!


Visit Caryn's blog at: http://rockinmama.net