Motivation Monday for Moms {Thanksgiving}

Well, that was just weird!!  I was so busy last week and unable to post, however, I forgot that I had scheduled a post for the  11th and just realized it has been sitting as a draft and did not post! So sorry two weeks have gone by:(  Anyway, with so many schools out for the week, maybe you will have some time with your little turkey's and need something to pass the time and make memories.  I am working on a post about adoption for next week.  Happy Thanksgiving!


With Thanksgiving right around the corner I thought I would feature a few craft ideas from my own family.  When I look on a certain site and search "Thanksgiving" ideas, I come up with gorgeous, breathtaking, store window only ideas.  When I look back at photos over the years and reminisce, perfection is the farthest thing from my mind. Let's get real, perfect is way over rated.  Maybe this is just my issue, because I have harped on it before.  Anyway, when people have asked me about teaching children to be thankful, I reply that it is a process, practiced and modeled.  My mother did a wonderful job teaching thankfulness to us kids.   We have done something different each year to record what we are thankful for.  One year we made a paper book and each person in attendance at our Thanksgiving meal that year wrote in it.  Another year my mom put out a permanent marker and had everyone sign the tablecloth.  Precious memories, as she and I poured over it last year.  Involve your kids as much as possible.  Let them make a cute turkey to hang on the fridge or put on the table. Have them come up with an idea of how to record their thankfulness this season.  Then remind them that thankfulness is not limited to one month in a year, but we can be thankful everyday.  Last year I began a "Thankful" journal and I have recorded something every single day for the last 361 days.  I was at a place that I needed to be reminded of both little and big things God has done in my life and it snowballed from there.  God is good, it just takes a minute to look around and realize all that we have to be thankful for.  Ephesians 5:20 says, "In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for everything to God the Father." I pray you find yourself counting your blessings and sharing with your family ways to be thankful together.  I am leaving you with a few images of simple things to try with your kiddos this month.

This year-simple enough. Have every family member fill out a slip as often as they can between now and Thanksgiving day and read them together as you celebrate.

 A cute little decoration (above).  I did make these with a cookie cutter and scrap book paper.  Great busy work for a child who can handle scissors. Then, I made cards to mail to far away family with the leaves and cardstock (below).

Placemats made from construction paper and cheap napkins. The smaller squares of paper were decorated with glitter glue.  Fun for younger children! 

 

This particular year I cut squares of construction paper and dipped the leaf cookie cutters in paint and stamped the paper.  I then put the blanks ones in the paper bag and each night the kids wrote what they were thankful for and I hung them up.  You could make a large tree shape to hang and then add the leaves.  I'm not sure what we had going on (haha).

And for something sweet- turkey and pumpkin cupcakes.  These are super fun and super yummy.

I would love to hear how you teach thankfulness and what special traditions you have.  Have a neat craft idea or a helpful Holiday tip, please email at tharrisphoto@gmail.com or leave a comment here. 


So thankful for you,
Tiffany