With Thanksgiving on the horizon, I thought I would type up a little survival guide with tools I have found to be useful during this blessed, if not nerve-racking, time.
Travel:
Whatever they like, give it to them (outside of inappropriate meds and overwhelming amounts of sugar). Kids like art? Buy the art kits that will not wreak havoc on your car. Kids love Raffi? Fill your i-pod with him. Kids love Caillou? Well, I draw the line there, (I despise that show), but otherwise buy, rent, borrow all the DVD’s you can and play them in the car/airplane/train. This is a short time where you allow your kids to game away. You just want to get from Point A to Point B. And lollipops never hurt anyone.
Dinner with family:
Your kid, who is usually gregarious, cute, and funny will suddenly clam up and hide behind your leg when Aunt Matilda tries to kiss him. This is normal. Do not force the child to be friendly/hug/kiss/high-five/shake hands with anyone they do not want to. It is awkward for everyone involved. Just smile at Aunt Matilda and say, “Have you noticed how much colder it has gotten? Unbelievable!” And you move the subject along. The Thanksgiving Dinner is not where you are going to teach etiquette. Speaking of teaching etiquette…
Teaching Manners Before the Big Day:
Role model at home (and the days leading up the to the big dinner), the behavior you would like to see whilst visiting Grandma and Grandpa. Make it into a game: sitting at the table, politely requesting objects, asking to be excused, shaking hands and/or smiling at someone, sitting on couches (rather than jumping on them), etc. Whichever behavior is PRACTICED at home stands a greater chance of happening at Grandma’s house.
But when things start to go south at the big dinner, two points:
1) Do not discipline your child in front of the table, nor do you eye-roll or speak about them as if they are not there. When in doubt, usher child away from table, out of room, etc. and speak to them in a second location. And always…
2) Keep your sense of humor. Unless your kid burns the house down, no one really cares or remembers if he makes fart sounds during the turkey slicing. If your sweet girl throws a fit, blame fatigue and your bad cranberry dressing. You get the point. Thanksgiving is about family and togetherness; so don’t get all huffy and mad. It ruins everyone else’s holiday, as well as your own. If you are with people you love, and you and your loved ones are healthy and fairly happy…everything is else is gravy. Sorry…I couldn’t resist.
