It's the most wonderful time of the year!
We love the holiday season! Thanksgiving is so wonderful for the extra time spent with friends and family! By Orlando moms and FOR Orlando moms, our “All Things Thanksgiving” Guide is filled with things to do, make and enjoy this Thanksgiving holiday!
Thanksgiving Meal Options
We are actively working on updating these 2 resources.
We update them almost daily, so please be sure to check back!
Top 10 Things to do in November!
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make a Thanksgiving craft
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Give Thanks
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send notes to nursing homes
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make gratitude rocks + leave in the neighborhood
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donate to a Food Bank
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have a s’mores party
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make apple spice cupcakes
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make chili
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bake a pumpkin recipe
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tailgate at a Football Game
Our Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes
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Navigating the Holidays with a Picky Eater
- Involve them in the prep. Most kids love helping, whether that’s in the kitchen or with the table setting. Even if you know they aren’t going to dig into the spread, give them a special job so that they are contributing and feel part of the day. You never know, maybe they’ll be game to try one of the foods that they help make!
- Feed your child beforehand. We all know the joy of having a hangry child on our hands. If you know they’ll eat limited foods at the table, consider giving them a pre-meal so they have something in their stomachs at the get-together.
- It’s OK if your child only eats the bread. The holiday meal is too high stakes for most picky eaters to venture outside of their comfort zone. Let’s stop pretending that it may be the day they decide to eat a carrot or dig into the brussels sprouts. If they only want a roll and a sliver of turkey, then fine (tbh if my boys have any turkey I’ll be celebrating.) Let them enjoy their meal without the pressure of filling their plate to be polite, and then you can enjoy yours.
- Give small portions. Involve your child in their food selection, and if they’re open to trying something new, give a small portion so as not to overwhelm them. They can always go back for seconds if they like it or recreate that dish again after the holiday.
- Set boundaries where you need to. Hope fully it doesn’t come to this, but if well-meaning family members comment on your child’s near-empty plate or overtly praises their cousin for being such a “good eater,” you may need to have a quiet word with them. Generally, with kids, especially picky eaters, it’s best to keep conversations around food positive and to a minimum. Often people just want to help, but it can quickly become a lot of pressure for a child to shoulder and the last thing you want is for them to feel ashamed at the table.
Crafts and Decor
Supporting Families with Autism Spectrum Disorder During the Holidays
For families with Autism Spectrum Disorder children, the holidays can be a complicated time. For many, the idea of gathering with friends and family is a welcome one, but they may worry about ensuring gatherings are comfortable for their ASD child.
Baby’s First Thanksgiving: 5 Top Tips
A baby’s first Thanksgiving is an extra special and memorable occasion that allows parents to celebrate their child’s first experience with new and old traditions.
This Thanksgiving, to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible, Jessica Vergara at Your Baby Club and mom of five boys, has shared her top five tips for having an enjoyable holiday season with your baby.
Holiday Shopping
For the Non-Drinkers
8 Holiday Mocktails for the Non-Drinker or Soon to be Mom
Tips for Navigating MCO this Thanksgiving… and beyond!
My family is one of the almost 30 million people who will fly over the Thanksgiving holiday. As one of the most traveled holidays of the year, we’re bracing for busy airports and crowds. MCO is no exception!
We’ve traveled with our boys since they were babies, so I’d like to think that at five and seven they are good little flyers. We have a pretty solid airport routine. However, I often find myself fielding questions from family and friends who are flying in and out of Orlando, aka MCO (named after the former McCoy Air Force Base on which the airport now stands.)
Orlando is an international airport and is one of the top ten busiest in the country. Because it is so large and busy, it pays to be prepared.
Here are my top five tips for traveling through Orlando Airport with kids.
Mom Friends
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Community Resources
If you’re new to Orlando, new to being a mom in Orlando, or just new to Orlando Mom Collective, our communities are a great way to meet moms and make new mom friends in the same stage of motherhood.
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It’s been almost nine years since we began connecting moms in the Central Florida Area. We are the local resource for moms and parents in and around Central Florida. Orlando Mom is made up of more than 10 women driving community to encourage, empower, and inspire local moms.
Passionate about parenting and our community, Orlando Mom Collective strives to connect area moms to relevant resources, local businesses, can’t-miss happenings, and most of all — each other!
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