Thanksgiving meltdowns: 3 Practical tips to avoid them

Parenting Matters #89

By: Catherine Lynch and Glenn Collins

Dear Awesome Parent,

It’s Thanksgiving, and you don’t need yet another article on gratitude. Instead, you need something short and practical: 3 ways to minimize meltdowns (both yours and your kids’) over the holiday.

Go slow and do less.

A packed schedule doesn’t bring out the best in any of us, adults or kids. Look at your list of things to do, decide on your priorities, delegate some tasks, and let some go. Your future self will thank you. Related: Let there be space (meaning at least a few hours) between activities. The Thanksgiving holiday is at least a 4-day-long marathon, not a sprint. Give yourself, and your kids, some grace.

Set expectations.

Holidays are a disruption to the routine your kids are used to. That can leave them uncertain of what’s expected of them. It can also mean they think the usual rules go out the window. To minimize the confusion and uncertainty, make a point to clarify what’s going on, what you expect of them, and any changes to the usual house rules.

Make sure you cover:

• Device time

• Helping out around the house

• The events schedule: Where everyone’s going and when

• Shopping, Black Friday, and the arrival of the holiday gift giving season

• Anything else that’s out of the ordinary

We all do better when we know what’s going on and what’s expected of us.

Eat fiber, protein, and fat before going to someone’s house for a meal.

Irregular meal times. Rich food. Abundant sweets. It can be the perfect storm for upset stomachs and blood sugar crashes that result in meltdowns. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s a secret: eating the right things before going to the big meal can help you and your kids make better food choices. Snack before you go on foods like nuts, cheese, beef jerky, hard boiled eggs, whole fruit, or veggies and dip. Contrary to what you might think, you won’t “ruin” your meal. Instead, you’ll feel good, parent well, and make wise food choices. Here’s why it works: Protein and fat are satiating, and fiber slows digestion down. That makes your blood sugar more stable, meaning you’re less likely to say and do things you regret. And if your kid’s blood sugar is stable they’re less likely to have a meltdown. You’re welcome 😃.

We’d love to hear your strategies and tips for making it through Thanksgiving with as few tears as possible. Share them in the comments.

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Fall Glory

Fall at its best. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and this maple tree was at peak color.

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