Fern Michonski / Fern’s Music
Pre-School Music Education Expert: The Children’s Advocate for Love and Kindness, Inspiring Creativity and Joy.
November 21, 2012—Thanksgiving and Black Friday 
Tonight I heard on NBC Nightly News that Black Friday, for the first time, is going to begin on Thanksgiving Day rather than the day after Thanksgiving. Hearing this made me quite sad.
Every year when I sing Thanksgiving songs to my preschool classes I ask the children if they know why we celebrate Thanksgiving and what they are thankful for. I receive all sorts of answers about Pilgrims, Indians and lots of delicious food, but the most common responses are about being thankful for their parents, siblings, grandparents and pets. Even little children realize that the most important things in life are about our families, friends and the love we share. Now, suddenly, right smack in the middle of one of the most special holidays of the year, our retail stores are attempting to steal this special time away from us. I was appalled.
I understand that our economy needs a lift and stores need to make money during this upcoming holiday season. However, my response is, “Don’t ruin family togetherness just for the sake of a fleeting bargain.” I am one who loves to hop out of bed, bright and early on the Friday after Thanksgiving, to find bargain gifts for my family for Christmas. I head out with a car full of my girlfriends and we make a day of it! It is lots of fun, but to be honest, the best part is being with my friends and feeling the excitement of the holiday buzz. I always, however, reserve Thanksgiving Day for my family.
There have been articles written that state that if parents eat regular dinnertime meals with their children their kids will be less likely to use drugs. Do family dinners really reduce teen drug use? I don’t think that is the only key to preventing drug use by our children, but it sure can’t hurt. I think the point is that parents who take the time to have excellent relationships with their children, including eating meals with them regularly and spending time with them in many ways, are going to get a head start in helping to prevent their children from getting involved in drug use. It’s about caring, listening, sharing, talking and being there. When it’s all melted down to one thing, it’s about love. It’s about togetherness and families. To me, that is sacred.
And that is what Thanksgiving is all about.
So don’t let the retailers get away with this. Pull up a chair, sit down with your family and create precious memories. Those are the gifts that last forever. Happy Thanksgiving!