“The Pilgrims knew they would face hardships, but of paramount importance to them was living freely and worshiping God according to the dictates of their own consciences, their own beliefs” – Rush Limbaugh
Thanksgiving is more than a feast or a long weekend—it’s a story of resilience, gratitude, and faith. Yet, much of what our children learn in school only scratches the surface of this rich history.
Take the opportunity this Thanksgiving to help your kids understand the true meaning of Thanksgiving. The ultimate dad hack is to expose your kids to more knowledge.
Thanksgiving offers a fantastic opportunity to dive deeper with your family, and there’s no better resource than Rush Limbaugh’s timeless classic, The Real Story of Thanksgiving.
Limbaugh’s narrative goes beyond the textbook version, revealing how the Pilgrims overcame incredible odds to build a life in the New World.
He shares the principles of self-reliance, community, and the role of faith and gratitude in shaping our nation. These lessons resonate far beyond Thanksgiving and provide meaningful discussions for the whole family.
Why This Story Matters
The story of Thanksgiving, as Limbaugh shares, is rooted in history and values like gratitude, perseverance, and community—concepts that transcend political divides. Focusing on the message rather than the messenger helps you extract valuable lessons without letting politics overshadow them.
This story allows us to teach our children about values that endure:
Gratitude: Understanding the sacrifices and challenges the Pilgrims faced fosters a deeper appreciation for our blessings.
The story of the Pilgrims and their relationship with Native Americans is complex. While it’s partially true that the Pilgrims struggled initially and received crucial assistance from the Native Americans, the narrative often oversimplifies history.
Hard Work: The Pilgrims’ perseverance reminds us of the importance of resilience in the face of hardship.
Community: The first Thanksgiving celebrated cooperation and unity—a message we can carry into our lives today.
By sharing these lessons, we can give our kids a richer understanding of Thanksgiving, turning it into more than a holiday.
What Are Some Activities You Can Do With Your Kids?
Read Together: Consider reading portions of The Real Story of Thanksgiving aloud with your children. Discuss how the Pilgrims’ experiences shaped the meaning of the holiday.
Teach your kids to be open to different opinions and help them to think critically about what they learn in school and online.
Ask Questions: Discuss the values important to them and your family. What does gratitude mean to them? How do they see the importance of community in their own lives?
Have them write about their values or draw pictures that demonstrate their values. Have them come up with a few ideas about how they plan to give back to their family and community.
Create Traditions: Encourage your kids to share what they’re thankful for, tying it back to the Pilgrims’ journey and the first Thanksgiving.
Have them write about what they are thankful for. What a great opportunity to have your kids learn to focus on what they are thankful for instead of worrying.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
The Day Warrior
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