November means we’re moving closer and closer to Thanksgiving! We don’t know about you, but this year feels like it’s flown by. With all the difficulties of the past few years, we understand more families are prioritizing thoughtful ways to celebrate the upcoming holidays. Here are some ways you and your family can have a more “thoughtful Thanksgiving” this year: 

Actively Practice Gratitude

Gratitude can be a hard concept for younger kids to grasp, but it’s an important one for any person to learn. Gratitude is more than being thankful when something good happens to you. The dictionary includes readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness in the definition of “gratitude.” Encourage your kids to look around for ways to be thankful, show gratitude, and (most importantly) return kindness shown to them. 

Learn About Native Peoples

When it comes to Thanksgiving, discussion typically centers around Pilgrims and landing the Mayflower at Plymouth Rock. However, that story often leaves out the plights of Native Peoples. PBS Kids has a fantastic resource for parents who don’t know how to balance the family-time celebrations of this season with the historical truth. 

Look for Opportunities to Give Thanks

Countries around the world celebrate Thanksgiving; however, they don’t have the same stories taught to Americans. Places like the UK and Australia celebrate bountiful harvests or blessings of the past year. They celebrate Thanksgiving in a more Biblical sense — by giving thanks. As a family, write out a list of people you can thank in some way or another. Then, write out letters to these people, pointing out the specific ways they’ve helped you throughout this year. If you feel so inclined, mail those letters. These powerful messages can help brighten someone’s holiday season!

Thanksgiving is a time for many families to join together, fellowship, and eat some amazing food. However, it’s easy to get lost in the details and forget the bigger picture. We encourage everyone to go about this season with an “attitude of gratitude,” even when it’s hard to find things to be thankful for. At Lake Forrest Prep, teaching strong values is integral to our curriculum. We want students to grow up educated, informed, and compassionate. If you’re interested in learning more about what makes Lake Forrest Prep different, give us a call at 407-331-5144 or schedule a time to tour.