This Thanksgiving, I’m Focusing on Teaching My Kids About Poverty

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Every year, our family has a wonderful tradition where we gather in a big circle and each share what we’re thankful for. It’s truly my favorite part of the celebration (besides the delicious feast, of course!). Recently, I asked my 3-year-old son, Ethan, what he was thankful for, and his response came out in a flash: “My superhero action figures, my racing car set, my building blocks, and the new dinosaur game Grandma just got me!” His excitement over his toys made me chuckle. At his age, it’s natural for him to be grateful for such things.

However, I’ve been reflecting on how I want my children to look beyond their toy-filled world and understand that not every child is as fortunate. I want them to recognize that not all kids have a mountain of toys or a Thanksgiving dinner that could feed a small army.

While our family has always been stable, there was a time not too long ago when we faced some financial struggles. My husband, Alex, was out of work, I was pregnant with Ethan, and we were cramped in a one-bedroom apartment. For nearly a year, Alex searched for a full-time job, relying on unemployment benefits, food stamps, and Medicaid.

I vividly remember the day before our second son was born. Alex received a letter from the unemployment office threatening to cut off his benefits due to a missing document. It was a weekend, and he couldn’t resolve the issue until Monday. Our home was filled with anxiety and uncertainty. Would we lose our only source of income? Would we need to borrow money from family?

When labor began, those worries still loomed large in my mind, casting a shadow over the joy of welcoming our new baby. We weren’t living in poverty, but those months of financial strain taught me a valuable lesson: we should never take our material possessions for granted.

Ethan remembers those tough times; he saw us discussing and fretting over money. He even recalls the joy when Alex finally landed a new job. Yet, I’m not sure he grasps that many families are in far worse situations, and that one in three children in America lives in poverty. That’s an unfathomable number—millions of children facing hardships we can hardly imagine.

These facts are uncomfortable but necessary to discuss with my kids. This Thanksgiving, we’ll address these issues in an age-appropriate way. As we donate canned goods to Ethan’s school, we’ll talk about how even a small can of food can make a difference for families who may only have one meal a day. When we gather coins to contribute to organizations like UNICEF and Feeding America, we’ll discuss what essential items struggling families need and how toys and other luxuries are just that—luxuries.

I know that our small efforts won’t single-handedly solve the vast issues of poverty in America. Bigger changes are certainly needed, but as a mother, I feel compelled to take action. When I think of any child going to bed hungry or scared, it breaks my heart.

So, I do what I can, and I’m teaching my children to do the same. Every little bit counts. If we can help even one more child go to bed with a full stomach, then we’ve made a difference. If we all contribute in small ways and inspire our kids to do the same, we can collectively change the world.

For more insights on this topic, you can check out this post on Home Insemination Kit, which offers valuable resources for families. Additionally, Make a Mom provides expert advice on fertility journeys, and the Genetics and IVF Institute is an excellent resource for all things related to pregnancy and home insemination.

In summary, this Thanksgiving, let’s encourage our children to embrace gratitude while also understanding the realities of poverty. Teaching them compassion and awareness can help shape a brighter future for all.