Thanksgiving alone with 3 kids, WWYD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you new to the area? You don't know how to be a parent to your kids alone? Weird question. Do what you normally do.

Wednesday-Sunday with three kids, holiday long weekend, solo adult, and no school or daycare? That's a pretty long time. It's reasonable to be thinking about plans.

NP here.

It's 5 days with kids that are old enough to eat on their own, use the bathroom on their own, get dressed, etc.
I have four kids and when mine were that age and younger, my husband was active duty military. He would deploy for literally months at a time. Five days is really no big deal, especially when the kids are older like OP's.

No one said it was a big deal, she is just asking for suggestions! No one likes a martyr.

I never said OP was making it a big deal. I was responding to the pp above me that said that Wed-Sunday is "a pretty long time."
Also, even though I didn't specifically quote them, another pp was suggesting to get a mother's helper, which seems ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you new to the area? You don't know how to be a parent to your kids alone? Weird question. Do what you normally do.

Wednesday-Sunday with three kids, holiday long weekend, solo adult, and no school or daycare? That's a pretty long time. It's reasonable to be thinking about plans.

NP here.

It's 5 days with kids that are old enough to eat on their own, use the bathroom on their own, get dressed, etc.
I have four kids and when mine were that age and younger, my husband was active duty military. He would deploy for literally months at a time. Five days is really no big deal, especially when the kids are older like OP's.

NP - Okay? If you were used to long stretches of solo parenting, you probably had a lot of routines established. Solo parenting isn’t the OP’s norm, and without the structure of school, it’s reasonable to think how best to handle the time. The OP also doesn’t sound like she’s making a huge deal out of it, she’s asking for ideas that would be helpful.

OP, I have three, as well. At those ages, I’d look for active things that would tire them out and also try to plan outings with family friends, if you have any you socialize with often (i.e., families with kids yours get along with). Easy trips to the playground with a friendly parent or two helped a ton. Depending on how yours get along, I also find it useful while DH is away to have back-up plans for if they need to be separated, e.g., oldest goes into their room for some quiet time, youngest does a craft, middle does legos or whatever. Keep meals easy. As a PP said, bubble baths or showers are good for passing time.

I agree that OP doesn't sound like she's making a huge deal out of it, which is why I didn't quote OP. I quoted and responded to the poster that said that 5 days is a "pretty long time."

[Anonymous]

Where in the DMV??? The stuff I’d suggest for Bethesda is different than Arlington. Nobody wants to drive for hours.

[Anonymous]

I would ask them to help make a shopping list of all the foods they love the most, like maybe let each kid pick two things, then I would take them grocery shopping on Wednesday to buy that stuff. On Thursday we would all cook the favorite foods together. Then we would have a great meal and talk about what we are all thankful for.

I might also ask them each to pick one thing they would love to do over the Thanksgiving weekend, like go to a movie or go skating or go to Chuck E Cheese, or whatever, and make plans to do those things together.

What would likely happen going forward is they would all remember it as the best Thanksgiving ever.

[Anonymous]

The Zoo and Smithsonian museums are probably open - Thursday could be less crowded. Building Museum may still have the construction zone play space. If you celebrate Christmas maybe start decorating - or get a tree- on Friday. It gets dark so early you might consider a “night hike” if you have any walking trails - bundle up and have flashlights. Legos. Forts out of soda cushions and blankets. I would not plan on cooking a traditional Thanksgiving. They are too young to really care (or complain about the menu). Make an apple pie(with store bought crust) and whip cream to go on top.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you new to the area? You don't know how to be a parent to your kids alone? Weird question. Do what you normally do.

Wednesday-Sunday with three kids, holiday long weekend, solo adult, and no school or daycare? That's a pretty long time. It's reasonable to be thinking about plans.

I do it (and so do many other single parents) 24/7.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you new to the area? You don't know how to be a parent to your kids alone? Weird question. Do what you normally do.

Wednesday-Sunday with three kids, holiday long weekend, solo adult, and no school or daycare? That's a pretty long time. It's reasonable to be thinking about plans.

I do it (and so do many other single parents) 24/7.

Sure, but that’s not everyone’s lifestyle.

[Anonymous]

Help clean and decorate the house!
Make holiday avent calendar.
Built play house with shipping boxes.
Camping in the family!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it’s cold a lot of the skating rinks are opening this weekend

Taking three children solo does not sound relaxing!

I think watching movie, making cookies visiting Santa, going on a hike ( short) playground are fine

[Anonymous]

Hire a nanny to take them out during the day!
Order the fanciest meals you want

[Anonymous]

Could you swing an overnight stay at a hotel with a pool?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could you swing an overnight stay at a hotel with a pool?

There is a new great wolf lodge in MD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could you swing an overnight stay at a hotel with a pool?

Honestly this is so unnecessary. And probably more stressful than just staying home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could you swing an overnight stay at a hotel with a pool?

There is a new great wolf lodge in MD.

Groupon has a 40% off Great Wolf right now.

[Anonymous]

How sad that the OP cannot think of what to do with her own children for a few days.