Look, I get it. When you’re juggling a million things and the holidays are coming up, the last thing you want to do is sit down and read through another social story with your kid. I mean, haven’t we all thought at some point, “Can’t we just wing it this time?”
But here’s the thing I’ve learned the hard way: we can’t. And honestly? Our kids are counting on us not to.
The Thanksgiving That Almost Wasn’t
Let me tell you about last year. We were heading to my parents’ house for Thanksgiving. I thought, “We’ve done this before, she’ll be fine.” I was so wrong. The meltdown in the car was epic. The overwhelm at dinner? Even worse. I felt terrible because I knew better. I knew my daughter needed preparation. I just thought maybe this time would be different.
Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
This year, I’m doing things differently. I found this social story about a kid named Ryan going to his grandparents’ for Thanksgiving, and it’s been a game-changer. Not because it’s magical, but because it does what our kids need most: it takes the scary unknown and makes it known.
Why Change Feels Like Chaos to Our Kids
You know how we can roll with changes pretty easily? “Oh, plans changed, no big deal”? Yeah, our kids don’t work that way. For them, unexpected changes can feel like the ground disappearing beneath their feet.
When we prepare them ahead of time—when we walk through what’s going to happen, what emotions might show up, and what to do about those emotions—we’re basically giving them a map. And that map? It’s everything.
What I Love About This Approach
The story I’m using this year doesn’t sugarcoat anything. Ryan feels nervous AND excited. He uses a blanket in the car. He counts to ten at dinner. He asks for breaks. These aren’t “perfect kid” behaviors—they’re real strategies for a real kid dealing with real emotions.
And here’s what hit me: the story validates that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. It’s okay to not want to talk much. It’s okay to need space. That’s the permission our kids need to hear.
The Little Things That Make a Big Difference
What I’m doing this year:
Reading the story together every day this week
Talking about Ryan’s strategies and which ones my daughter might want to try
Packing her favorite blanket (because if it works for Ryan, why not?)
Planning a quiet room she can escape to if she needs it
Reminding her—and myself—that mixed emotions are totally normal
The Real Talk:
Preparing our kids for change isn’t about preventing all meltdowns or making everything perfect. It won’t be perfect. There might still be hard moments. But when we give our kids the heads-up, when we practice the scenarios, when we name the emotions before they happen—we’re giving them tools.
And tools make hard things doable.
You Know Your Kid Best:
Maybe your kid doesn’t need a full social story every time. Maybe they just need a conversation in the car. Maybe they need to see pictures of where you’re going. Maybe they need to know exactly what time you’re leaving and what time you’ll be home. Whatever it is, the point is this: don’t skip the prep. Even when you’re tired. Even when you’re running late. Even when it feels like just one more thing on your already-too-long list.
Because here’s what I’ve learned: five minutes of preparation saves us hours of recovery.
This Thanksgiving
This year, I’m reading the social story. I’m packing the comfort items. I’m setting up the escape plan. I’m giving my daughter the gift of knowing what to expect.
And you know what? I’m giving myself that gift too. Because when she feels prepared, I feel less anxious. When she has her strategies, I can actually enjoy the day instead of being on high alert the whole time.
Is it more work upfront? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
So if you’re heading into holiday visits, travel, or any kind of routine change—pull out those social stories. Read them together. Talk through the what-ifs. Pack the comfort items. Make the plan.
Our kids are counting on us to help them navigate change. And honestly? We’ve got this.
What are you using to prepare your kiddo for upcoming changes? I’d love to hear what works for your family.
Ready to help your child tackle their next new adventure? Download → Preparing for a Family Trip
