Thanksgiving In The Blended Family Household

With the holidays approaching we who live in blended families have to decide how to spend them without offending either parent. Unless it is stipulated in the divorce decree where you spend your holiday, it is usually left up to you. You may decide that since you live with one parent most of the time that you should spend Thanksgiving with the absent parent. This can bring up problems with the present parent, though, because this is one of the few times of the year, usually, when they'll invite relatives in who you haven't seen in a very long time, usually since last holidays. Trying to have your parents schedule their meals far enough apart so that you can eat two thanksgiving meals is not an easy task, let alone eating enough food to satisfy each parent while you're at their house. For some reason parents seem to think that the amount of food you eat is directly related to your general well being. It is almost saying "something is wrong" if you don't eat a healthy, hearty Thanksgiving dinner. Either that or you don't like their -- new stepmom or stepdad's cooking.

For example, my stepdad really gets excited about Thanksgiving. He starts the day before preparing for this great yearly event. He even wears an apron and chef's hat (believe it or not!). He whistles a tune, makes a huge mess, and enjoys himself very much. Mom fusses around the house cleaning up after him, worrying about having enough food for everyone, trying to think of anyone else to invite at the last minute, and worrying about if the house is clean enough. Can't you just smell the baking smells?

My Father, on the other hand, is laid back and could care less about preparing for Thanksgiving. He would rather go to his Parents' house and let Step-Mom make something to take along. His parents are now up in years, though, so this year they have decided they will have a FAMILY AT HOME Thanksgiving. They will invite all the brothers, sisters and grandparents. We should all be there, I am told. Doesn't it sound all warm and cozy? Step-Mom is fanatically clean, so she will pre-clean, make sure the guest towels are all hanging perfectly in the bathroom, take two Valium and lay down the day before to rest in preparation for getting up at 5:00 am the morning of Thanksgiving to clean once more and begin preparing the food.

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