www.aspie-editorial.com

By Therese J. Borchard

 

To get us in the mood for the Thanksgiving Holiday!

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Aren’t holidays great?  There are presents, food, time off work (for those fortunate enough), and time with family.  However, the time with family can quickly turn into disagreements, which then lead to out right fighting.  Its all too often the times we all think should be enjoyed turn into episodes of family drama.

Before getting together with family this holiday season, think about the triggers that cause these family problems.  Maybe Uncle Bobby is the one who starts problems by drinking too much.  Possibly it is Aunt Mildred who starts on a rant because Uncle Bobby is drinking too much, which then sends him into a defensive rant.  Maybe there are past resentments that have not been dealt with since the previous year(s) and they are now resurfacing while everyone sits down to the table.  I think you get the point…there can be a multitude of problems that can cause a family to dinner to become a scene of dysfunction.

What can you do different this year?  Identify those triggers that have caused anger and/or arguments in the family and approach things differently this year.  Is there a need to hold family gatherings at a different location?  Would having an alcohol-free family get together likely make the day more pleasant?

Thanksgiving is a day brimming over with delectable food choices and dear family moments to cherish forever. A disability isn’t a barrier to that, nor should it be thought of as an extra stressor to anyone else’s fun. Planning and patience in advance is the secret to it all.

No matter what the challenges are, set in your mind that it won’t overshadow the festivities. Whether you want to help out in the kitchen preparing the day’s meal or simply share time with family you haven’t seen in a forever, there are several places where careful thought can alleviate bad feelings.