Who's the Thanksgiving Turkey in Your Family?

Day after tomorrow is Thanksgiving, traditionally the eating-est holiday in America. Attendance at family gatherings is expected, and woe be unto the newly married couple with parents, step-parents, grandparents and step-grandparents who all expect them to show up hungry to multiple, separate, family feasts.?

Thanksgiving is an emotional stick of dynamite. Wait – maybe “roller coaster” is the better analogy, because at least there are high spots to go with the predictable blow-ups. What could go wrong when people who are related to each other and who maybe don’t see each other all that often gather to share a meal? ?

• The host and family have been cleaning and cooking for days and are exhausted?
• The guests arrive, most bringing what they were asked to bring and a few bringing what they wanted to bring, whether or not it was needed or wanted?
• This cousin gets on the nerves of that cousin and loud spats ensue?
• This uncle and that grandma have opposite opinions on (nearly everything – fill in the blank) and are both loudly certain that they’re right?
• At least one dish – hopefully not the main one – is ruined and can’t be served?
• At least one relative is falling-down drunk before the appetizers hit the table, breaking a family heirloom?
• The kids’ table is in the kitchen. The grown-ups are lulled into a false sense of security by the silence as the children turn the pimentos in the green olives into projectiles, seeing how far they can blow them out and whether or not they’ll stick to the white walls and cabinets?

Oops…that last one might or might not have been a confession. I’m pretty sure the statute of limitations has run on it, though!?

Seriously, there are so many added layers of stress in traditional Thanksgiving get-togethers that it’s good to mentally prepare yourself for the occasion. Today is a great day to start your mental prep. Here are three Tiny Bite podcast episodes, curated to help you cope with some common family-dynamic issues. At under 90 seconds long each, you can listen, learn, and be ready for Thursday in no time!?

Can you understand your backstabber? Here’s a Tiny Bite for that!?

Are you doing more harm than good? Here’s a Tiny Bite for that!?

Do you know your life’s purpose? Here’s a Tiny Bite for that!?

Subscribe to the world's second-shortest podcast to get wagalicious success tools every day! Apple Spotify YouTube? ?

No matter what your role is this Thanksgiving, remember to take care of your own mental wellbeing in the midst of what might be chaos. Here are three easy-to-remember rules:?

1.?????? The only “turkey” that deserves your attention is the one at the center of the table?

2.?????? Family, like green bean casseroles, belongs at the table. Have a “thank you” helping if you must and then move on to something you like better?

3.?????? No matter what happens, “roll” with it?

Happy Thanksgiving…you got this!?

Wags,

Sandy Weaver

The Voice of Wagaliciousness

PS...want more? Subscribe to the Mind, Body, Soul Sessions podcast, a weekly mental spa treatment for your total self!?