Thanksgiving with babies and toddlers
Thanksgiving is a whole new ballgame when you have a baby or toddler in the family. You’ll be sharing the season with a little person who most definitely has her own agenda when it comes to food and fun, and you may have to adjust your expectations accordingly! Whether you’re having family come stay with you for the festivities, or traveling to stay with them, follow gurgle’s tips and your baby or toddler’s holiday season should run smoothly!
If you’re hosting, plan in advance
If you’ve volunteered to host Thanksgiving dinner for the extended family, early planning should ensure that the food is on the table on time and that you have time to relax somewhere in among the bedlam. There are so many small things to do, so make a to-do list and try to stretch it out across several days so you aren’t rushing around trying to do too much at the eleventh hour.
Prepare as much food as you can in advance and refrigerate or freeze it. And why not ask some of your guest sot bring cooked dishes that you can reheat? Or perhaps they can bring snacks and/or dessert so that you can focus on the main meal without being distracted by the sides.
Ask for help
Don’t be a martyr and try to do it all yourself. It doesn’t have to be perfect and it’s likely your parents and close family will be so pleased to see you and spend time with your baby or toddler that they won’t even notice if something isn’t perfect. If relatives offer to contribute foodwise don’t be polite and turn them down – accept, and tell them how they can help, or what they can bring.
Remember, your mom or aunt have cooked many more Thanksgiving dinners than you! Take advantage of that experience if you’re unsure of how to stuff the turkey or carve it. They’ll be only too glad to take some of the pressure off you. If your baby or toddler is overwhelmed by so many visitors, handing some of the prep over to your mom means you can get her out for some fresh air too – alternately, ask your mom to take her to the playground or outside to play so you can get on with the meal.
Involve your child
Thanksgiving books that tell the historical story in a simple way are a great way to introduce your toddler to the traditions behind Thanksgiving. Explain to her how you are joining together to show how grateful you are for food and other things: peace, happiness, and family. Tell her how thankful you are that you have her and ask her about what she might be thankful for – her teddy, maybe, or special time she gets to spend with you.
On Thanksgiving day, your toddler can help set the table, perhaps putting out the cutlery, place settings and napkins. Why not get her to help arrange your centerpiece? It doesn’t have to be fancy: an arrangement of mini pumpkins, squashes and pinecones looks pretty and seasonal. Another nice idea is to scatter fall leaves over your tablecloth and then lay a clear plastic shower curtain over the top so the leaves show through.
A preschooler can help serve up snacks and perhaps lay cookies out on the baking sheet if you’re baking up a seasonal batch as a treat. The also can help to wash vegetables and the ingredients for any salad sides.
Make travel go smoothly
If you’re traveling to spend Thanksgiving with relatives, it can be a real hassle to
fly with a baby or
toddler. Allow plenty of time to get through security (log onto the Transportation Security Administration website to check up-to-date security rules before you travel) and explain the airport screening process to your toddler so that she knows her doll or teddy will be put in the X-ray machine but that she’ll get it back straightaway. Pack a bag of toys and snacks to keep your toddler occupied during the flight.
If you’re traveling with a baby, latch her on for a breastfeed or give her a bottle for take-off and landings, as the change in air pressure could hurt her ears otherwise. If your baby or toddler has been displaying any cold or flu symptoms, get health advice from your pediatrician before flying. You also should check with your pediatrician if it is advisable to take your baby or toddler on an airplane if she has had an ear infection in the two weeks prior to the flight.
You’ll also need to keep your baby or toddler entertained if you’re
traveling by car especially if it’s a long journey. Bring toys and snacks, just as you would for a flight, and plan in a break every couple of hours so you can get out and stretch your legs.
Keep your baby safe away from home
If you’re going to be staying with your parents or other family members or friends who don’t have children, keep in mind that you may have to take responsibility for
your child’s safety when you get there. Ask them to stow breakables or precious items out of reach, and remind elderly grandparents that any medications they take need to be locked away.
Give your surroundings a quick onceover when you arrive. Be on the alert for trailing window-blind cords, staircases and water sources, be it a toilet or a pool. If the home you are visiting has stairs, consider taking your own safety gate with you as a precaution.
Do they have pets? A crawling baby or excitable toddler will be at risk no matter how well behaved the pet is, so ask if it’s possible for it to be kept in a separate room from your child.
And as far as possible, stick to your baby or toddler’s usual
routine. Seasonal travel, visiting family, and richer food than usual can all increase your child’s stress levels. Sticking to her usual sleep, nap and mealtime schedule can help you and your child enjoy the holidays and reduce stress.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 20/09/2009