Being a parent just might be one of the toughest jobs in the world. One aspect of parenting that many people tend to overlook during the holidays is just how important it is to be a good role model for your kids. Young children look up to their elders and will often emulate what they see. As a parent, you need to understand and be sensitive to the fact that your actions will impact the success of this special day in your child’s mind. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and adult behavior can tend to be a bit more reactive and immature when extended family and old issues are thrown together in one household for a day. Some tips to help parents get through what in some cases is a stressful day are as follows:
Be Open With Your Children
Talking to your children should be something that you do on a daily basis but it is even more important before Thanksgiving. Especially when they are young, explain to them about what usually goes on during Thanksgiving at the place you will be attending the feast. You can talk about different family members personalities, so they are not caught off guard by someone’s behavior. For older adolescents, you can explain that some of the adults might be drinking and what the ramifications of this behavior are.
Explain Why Some Family Relationships Don't Work
If your children are old enough to understand, it is a good idea to explain why there are certain family members that you just don't get along with. Don’t get overly dramatic or detailed, but giving them a brief overview might help them feel more comfortable about why people are acting certain ways.
Keep Your Own Behavior In Check
As a parent and an adult, do your best to be proud of your behavior in front of your kids. Don’t get pulled in to family arguments, try your best to let comments roll off your back and most of all, don’t drink too much. At the end of the day, you will be happy that you took the high road, and your kids will gain a sense of strength watching you do the right thing.
Take An Online Parenting Class
Though you might think that you are already a good parent, there are always new skills that you can learn. Being a good parent is more than just providing your children with all they need physically, but mentally as well. Being a balanced, honest, and strong role model is extremely important for successful parenting and raising healthy, confident kids. The current skills and information that you can learn from quality online parenting classes is priceless and helps you to continue to build a stable, happy family environment.
With these tips in mind, you will see that Thanksgiving is indeed a chance for your family to bond and learn more about each other. Including your children in on what to expect on Thanksgiving day will make them feel important and will help the outcome of this special day. As much as possible, avoid any tense moments and remember that your child will always be looking up to you and the other adults. With these simple tips, Thanksgiving will be a very relaxed and enjoyable day.