As Thanksgiving approaches, my family has a cherished tradition: we gather in a circle to share our gratitude. It’s a moment I genuinely treasure, and it often stands out as the highlight of the evening—second only to the delicious feast! Recently, I asked my 3-year-old son what he felt thankful for, and his response was instant: “My Batmobile, my Superman cape, my fire truck, my train tracks—and the new Aquaman Grandma just ordered for me.” His excitement over toys brought a smile to my face. After all, he’s just a little kid, and these are the things he should be grateful for.
However, I’ve been reflecting on the importance of broadening my children’s perspectives beyond their toy-filled world and comfortable lives. While I don’t want to burden them with guilt, I believe it’s crucial for them to understand that not every child has the same abundance. Not every family enjoys a Thanksgiving spread that could feed ten.
Though my family has never faced severe poverty, we did experience a challenging period not long ago. My husband was out of work while I was pregnant with our youngest, and we were cramped in a one-bedroom apartment. For nearly a year, we relied on unemployment benefits, food stamps, and Medicaid. I vividly remember the day before our second son was born; my husband received a letter threatening to cut off his unemployment checks due to an issue with paperwork. It was a weekend, and he couldn’t resolve it. Anxiety hung over us like a dark cloud, and when labor began, those financial worries still loomed large.
While we weren’t in poverty, those months of financial insecurity opened my eyes to the fragility of our circumstances and the importance of appreciating what we have. My older son has some memories of those tough times; he recalls the conversations and the stress surrounding money. But I’m not sure he fully grasps that many families struggle far more than we did, and that 1 in 3 children in America live below the poverty line.
Let that sink in for a moment: 1 in 3 children. That’s a staggering number, representing millions of kids who face real hardships.
These are uncomfortable truths, but they are necessary conversations to have, even with young minds. This Thanksgiving, we’ll discuss these issues in ways that resonate with them. As we donate canned goods to my son’s school, we’ll talk about the significance of even the smallest contributions for families who may only have one meal a day. When we gather spare change to donate to organizations like UNICEF and Feeding America, we’ll discuss what essentials struggling families truly need, and how toys and games are just luxuries in comparison.
I know that simply talking about poverty and donating food or money won’t eliminate the systemic issues we face in this country. There are larger reforms needed to tackle poverty effectively. But as a mother, when I think about a child going to bed hungry or scared, my heart aches, and I feel compelled to take action.
So, I do what I can and encourage my children to do the same. Every little bit counts. If we can ensure even one more child goes to sleep with a full belly, we’ve made a difference. And if we all contribute in our own small ways and instill this value in our children, together we can begin to change the world.
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In summary, as we gather this Thanksgiving, let’s remember that gratitude is more meaningful when we recognize the struggles of others. By teaching our children about poverty and encouraging them to help, we can foster empathy and change.
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