Thanksgiving Unstuffed
By Norma Schmidt, Fri Dec 9th
When guests fall asleep after Thanksgiving dinner, we chalk itup to a full belly. When the cook falls asleep after Thanksgiving dinner, it's forother reasons. Let's face it. Thanksgiving dinner is a lot of work, especiallywhen you're for a crowd. You're on your feet, you'rewatching the clock, and it's hard to avoid stressing out overwhether the bird will be "done" on time.
Meanwhile, if you have little ones, you're feeling vaguelyguilty about not giving them attention. One year, the preparations for Thanksgiving dinner with myextended family got so hectic that we left the mashed potatoesin a bowl in the oven -- and nobody noticed until after the meal! No single strategy works for every family, but here's aphilosophy that's helped me: Less cooking, more connecting! Can the meal be simplified? Check in to see if there's anythingyou're now that family members wouldn't mind skipping --at least until later in the weekend. Can anything be delegated? Maybe your brother-in-law would liketo bring the pumpkin pie. You can give
him the recipe for"fool-proof pie crust." Maybe some items can be bought rather than made at home. Cookingahead and freezing can be another option. Perhaps the family wouldn't mind eating later in the day, so youcan cook at a more leisurely pace. A platter of cheese,crackers, nuts and dried fruits can tide everyone over until themeal is ready. With the time that's been freed up, we can enjoy family membersand friends and focus on appreciation. We can look at each other, with love and attention. We can tell each other what we appreciate about each other orabout the year that's ending. We can play games, do a craft,tell stories, or sing harvest-related hymns. We can sit on the floor with any toddlers in the house and jointhem in viewing the world with imagination and wonder. And who knows? We might even be able to stay awake after dinner! (c) Norma Schmidt, LLC About the author:Norma Schmidt, M.A., M.Div., helps busy parents create peaceful,connected, spiritually well-fed families. To get her freereport, "55 Free and Low-Cost Ways to Have the Best HolidaySeason Ever, clickhere or visit www.ParentCafeOnline.com |
